Alan Renwick

I’m Professor of Democratic Politics and Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit. My work focuses on strengthening the mechanisms through which people can take part formally in democracy, particularly through elections, referendums, and deliberative processes such as citizens’ assemblies.

1⃣ The LGBTQ+ community brings together an incredible variety of identities, how do you identify yourself within (and beyond) our world?
When I think of who I am, I don’t first think of gender or sexuality. I’m a person who tries to listen to and understand all points of view, seeks ways forward that will allow us all to live contentedly together, and aims to base conclusions on reason and evidence. To get to the point of the question, I’m gay. And I really don’t like the way so much of the world is structured by binary genders – about the only way you can offend me is by saying I’m acting like a typical man!

2⃣ Who is your favourite LGBTQ+ personality, past or present?
Well – ‘favourites’ are always tricky – it’s the diversity of our world that most makes it special. By I’ll say Jan Morris, because her book Conundrum is extraordinarily open, brave, and readable, because she seems – at least to this outsider – to have lived without bitterness, and because she was remarkably accomplished throughout her life.

3⃣ How does your LGBTQ+ identity influence your work/studies at UCL?
So far as I can’t tell, it doesn’t. Which is nice.

4⃣ We have officially launched the Gender and Sexuality Diversity Network in the Department, what do you think is the most important thing the Network can do to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the department?
Help ensure that everyone in the Department can joyfully live and explore their own identity, whatever it may be – whether or not it fits into any of the existing boxes or sets of expectations.