Voices in Dialogue: Bridging Research, Lived Experience, and Representation
This year’s Public Debate explores the theme “Voices in Dialogue: Bridging Research, Lived Experience, and Representation.”
We aim to open a thoughtful conversation on how professional work contexts and lived experience can strengthen one another, and at times create tension. The debate will also address how current research relates to today’s societal challenges, and the role that transgender role models play both within academia and in the broader public sphere.
The debate will be held in English, as the Summer School brings together more than 70 participants from across Europe, alongside an expected 30 attendees from Belgium and beyond who are interested in joining the discussion.
- Date: July 9th, 2026
- Time: 7PM – 10PM
- Location: Sint-Pieters Abbey (Sint-Pieterplein 9, Gent, Belgium)
The debate is open to the public, but please register for the public debate via the button on this page. The debate will be followed by a reception.
About the speakers:
Joz Motmans
About
Joz Motmans (he/him) is the coordinator of psychosocial care at the Centre for Sexology and Gender at Ghent University Hospital, where he also leads the psychosocial team. Trained as a clinical psychologist, he holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from Ghent University, a postgraduate degree in Women’s Studies from the University of Antwerp, and a PhD in Social Sciences focusing on social movement theory and trans emancipation.
As a senior researcher and internationally recognised expert on transgender health, LGBTIQ+ studies, and social attitudes, he has contributed to numerous regional, national, and international research projects on health, quality of life, discrimination, and violence. He is principal investigator of long‑term follow‑up research on the mental well‑being and care needs of gender‑diverse people, as well as studies on knowledge and attitudes toward non‑binary people in Flanders.
Joz Motmans is widely published, including co‑authorship of the Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 (SOC8) and co‑editing Non‑Binary and Genderqueer Genders (Routledge, 2020).
Senne Misplon
About
Senne Misplon (he/him – 1998) is a trans man and public speaker on the topics of gender and sexual diversity.
As a former spokesperson for Wel Jong (a Flemish youth organization for LGBTQ+ youth), he was at the forefront of the fight for trans representation in the Flemish media.
He has contributed to various trans-related studies as a participant or expert through his consultancy work and network. In addition, he has conducted his own research on the experiences of trans men and their healthcare providers in preconception and prenatal care.
Image: Lou Voet
Joppe de Campeneere
About
Joppe De Campeneere (they/she) is a writer and DEI consultant. Joppe’s lens is shaped by all facets of a queer existence. Their recent work focuses on the intersections of gender, media, representation and pop culture. They also host & create a podcast (in Dutch), called Flikker Op, together with Madonna Lenaert.
Image: Ica Pomat voor Cavalier Queer