Trans feminist scholar Dr Ruth Pearce honoured with prestigious Emma Goldman Award

Dr Ruth Pearce, a leading trans feminist researcher and Senior Lecturer in Community Development at the University of Glasgow’s School of Education, has been named a recipient of this year’s Emma Goldman Award for her innovative work on feminism and inequality.

The annual awards, issued by the FLAX Foundation, recognise exceptional scholars across Europe whose work reflects the radical intellectual legacy of Emma Goldman - the influential anarchist and early advocate for peace, gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.

Dr Pearce’s research centres on inequality, marginalisation and power, drawing on an interdisciplinary trans feminist perspective. Her work has helped to shape public understanding of trans health, rights, and wellbeing at a time of increasing political polarisation in the UK.

Most recently, she co‑authored a paper examining trans children’s rights in the context of Scotland’s incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The paper warns that despite progress, significant gaps remain in ensuring that trans young people’s rights are fully protected in health and education settings.

Responding to the award, Dr Pearce said: “I am very honoured to receive this prestigious prize, and grateful to share this honour with an astounding group of other women, working across borders on a range of urgent feminist projects. Trans liberation cannot succeed without women’s liberation, and vice‑versa. I believe so deeply in what we can achieve together.”

Announcing the award, Professor Mieke Verloo of Radboud University praised Dr Pearce’s influence across the field of trans studies and her commitment to public engagement.

“Ruth engages with diverse projects encompassing all aspects of trans health and wellbeing, as well as sex and gender in health research, including current work on the Cass Review in the UK,” she said.

“She has a very strong track record on public engagement in a very polarised field… she uses her unique positionality, genius, and kindness to advance gender theory and make the world liveable for trans people. Ruth is without question one of the most dynamic and generous trans scholars in Europe.”

Goldman (1869–1940), known for her electrifying oratory and prolific writing, addressed themes including anti‑militarism, fascism, capitalism, migration, free love, marriage, and homosexuality. Her legacy continues to inspire feminist and queer scholarship globally.