Representation Matters: Information Literacy Sessions and Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Students

Abstract

Representation matters and contributes to student engagement, sense of belonging, and overall success. This is especially true for our most vulnerable student populations, which include transgender and non-binary students who do not often see themselves represented within the structure of the academic institution. While university-wide initiatives to engage students such as first year seminars are important, so too are smaller scale efforts such as creating representation through the use of teaching materials and exercises in courses and information literacy sessions. When discussing representation for the LGBTQ + community, and especially transgender and non-binary parts of that community, it is important to acknowledge that within this larger group, there are any number of intersectional identities impacting individuals’ sense of belonging, support, and access to success, all of which cannot be addressed in the space of this column or in the time it takes to run an information literacy session. However, that does not mean we, as educators, should not try.