The time has finally come – it’s finally time to move on with my data collection, following Stage 1 quantitative data collection and analysis. I have received ethical approval from the UCC Social Research Ethics Committee (many thanks to the Committee for their review) and am now looking to speak to non-mono sexual family carers in Ireland (current and former) who are over the age of 18.
The reason I am choosing to focus on the experiences of family carers who identify as non-mono sexual is in part due to the significant lack of any research specifically pertaining to that experience – not only from an Irish perspective but internationally also. As of mid-2026 I have not located any family caregiving research which focusses on bisexuality, pansexuality, sexual fluidity or related identities. Most studies in this sector focus on lesbian and gay experiences of family care, with occasional passing mentions of non-mono sexuality.
So, if you meet the following criteria, I’d love to speak with you to explain more about the topic, my study, and perhaps to arrange an interview with you at your convenience either in-person or online. You can send me an email to 117221797@umail.ucc.ie, or by clicking through to my contact page here.
Are you:
- A current or former family carer? By that I mean, have you provided care and support to a person with additional care needs? Even though I use the word ‘family’ I don’t just mean blood family, or family of origin here. I also mean chosen family, friends, neighbours etc. They might have needed help due to a disability, a mental health concern, a physical/longterm health condition or addiction. This care might have happened in the past, or be ongoing now. It might be an older person you cared for like a parent; it might be your partner or spouse; it could be a friend; or it could be a child with additional need.
- Living and cared for the person in the Republic of Ireland? For this study I am focussing on the experience of those caring for people in the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. This is because the topic has never been researched here, and because the Health & Social Care systems in Northern Ireland are very different. You don’t have to be Irish to take part – but the care you provided needs to have been provided primarily in Ireland.
- Are you over the age of 18? I am looking to speak with adult family carers for this project. That doesn’t mean that if you were a young carer you cannot take part – I’d love to speak with you. For ethical reasons, all participants in this research must be over 18 when the interview takes place.
- Do you identify as non-mono sexual? By that I mean that you are attracted to more than one gender. Some of the terms people use for themselves are bisexual; bi+; pansexual; sexually fluid and others.
If you know of someone who you think might be interested in taking part, please share this page with them, or indeed my study poster below.
Queer Caring 