Trans+ Virtual Centre of Excellence (TVCE) 1st Annual Symposium

Guildhall School of Music and Drama is delighted to announced that on the 8th July, in collaboration with the Trans+ Virtual Centre of Excellence [TVCE], the De-Centre for Socially Engaged Practice and the Guildhall School DEI Department, we will host the inaugural TVCE Symposium under the theme Queer Acts of Hope.

This event will create a space dedicated to celebrating trans+ lived experiences and academic research. This interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary gathering will bring together scholars, artists, activists, and community members to explore and showcase work that uplifts, critiques, and expands understandings of trans+ existence, resistance, and joy.

The theme of our 2025 symposium is Queer Acts of Hope.

Queer Acts of Hope emerge through the ways Trans+ individuals and communities imagine, create, and sustain futures despite systemic challenges. Hope is not passive—it is an active, radical force that manifests in grassroots organising, mutual aid, creative and academic expressions, effort (both within and beyond the institution) and the everyday decision to live authentically. Acknowledging the difficulties faced by the Trans+ community today, we invite contributions that celebrate, uplift, and advocate for Trans+ lives. While we recognise the importance of representing oppressive contexts, we encourage submissions that frame these realities within qualitative and quantitative studies, avoiding the unnecessary exploitation of trauma narratives.

For more information and to submit an application to present at the symposium in July please visit here.

In June the full programme will be published. Please check back then!

Early Bird tickets to attend in-person or Online are availble now.

Please note we are unable to offer any finanical support to attend the symposium and in light of this have ensured our tickets remain free of charge.

Host or Publisher Trans+ Virtual Centre of Excellence