Leah Schmidt
Queer (In)Security: The Production and Practice of Belonging for Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ Military Personnel
Supervisor: Dr Lauren Wilcox (University of Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies)
Abstract:
Modern Western militaries are in a global transition period. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is no exception, having recently hit its highest attrition levels in 15 years (Minister of National Defence 2022). This personnel crisis, paired with the unprecedented $900 million 2019-2023 CAF sexual misconduct class action lawsuits, are focussing unusual levels of public scrutiny on the welfare of Canada’s minority servicepersons. Despite these external pressures, the Final Report of the Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination (2022) noted that the CAF continues to maintain an institutionally sexualized culture which is particularly “hostile to…members of the [2SLGBTQI+] communities” (7), with little action being taken to effectively remedy the military’s historical and systemic denigration of homosexuality (Agostino 1997; Gouliquer 2000).
As a feminist security studies scholar whose multidisciplinary work junctures international relations, organizational anthropology, and queer theory, my research centers on 2SLGBTQI+ experiences of peace and violence in order to articulate these soldiers’ identity creation processes within the broader pre-constituted frames of Canadian military identity. Building on the theoretical framework I began during my Master’s degree, I will analyze quantitative and qualitative interviews with self-identified 2SLGBTQI+ Canadian servicepersons (Regular and Reserve Forces; peacekeepers; military police) using inter/multidisciplinary biopolitical queer critical theory. Ultimately, I will examine whether there are specific political and/or institutional tensions within the identity formation of a 2SLGBTQI+ serviceperson and, if so, how this impacts their ability to serve, their overall experience of military belonging, and the larger political project of securing and protecting 2SLGBTQI+ rights in Western security settings.
Academic Background:
Master of Philosophy, Centre for Gender Studies, POLIS, University of Cambridge (Chevening Scholar and Rotary Global Grant Scholar)
Graduate Certification in Law, War, and Human Rights, London School of Economics and Political Science
Bachelor of Arts, Women’s Studies (Hons.), University of Calgary
Bachelor of Arts, International Relations (Dist.), University of Calgary
Research Interests:
Security Studies, International Relations, Feminist Theory, Queer Theory, Posthumanism, Human Security, Queer Conflict Studies, Biopolitics, Necropolitics
Publications:
Schmidt, Leah. (Publication Date TBD) This Is Not a Punk Rock Anthology, It's a New Wave Anthology. Editor, Creative Poetry. Ink and Bone Press: Illinois.
Schmidt, Leah. (2013-2022) 25+ General Assembly and Security Council Background Guides. National Collegiate Conference Association: New York City.
Schmidt, Leah. (February 2020) Working-Level Gender Lead: “G20 2020 Riyadh Leaders Declaration.” Delivered at the 2021 Saudi Arabia-hosted G20 Summit. Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. [Unclassified Document].
Schmidt, L., Demers, J. & Boncezk, J. Outliers: Calgary’s Queer History. [Feature-length Documentary Film]. Fairytales Queer Film Society, Calgary Alberta.
Schmidt, Leah. (June 2019) Government of Canada Global Affairs Canada, Working-Level Gender Lead: “Gender Recommendations to the G7 Leaders.” 2019 G7 Gender Summit Deliverable, Leader’s Level. Biarritz, France. [Unclassified Document].
Conference Presentations:
Schmidt, L., Abbott, N., McClintock, L. C. & Modra, L. (2024) You’re on Your Own, Kid: Absent Analysis, Heteronormative Biopolitics, and Lavender (Haze) Capitalism in Swiftian Lore. Swiftposium. University of Melbourne. February 2024.
Stowe, L. and Schmidt, L. (2017) Defining and Assessing the Impact of Group Dynamics on Student Learning in Short Term Travel Study Programs: Findings and Conversation. National Society for Experiential Education. St. Petersburg, FL. September 2017.
Schmidt, L. (2015) Gendercide: The Roots of Sexualized Military Violence during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). Centre for Military and Strategic Studies Graduate Strategic Studies Conference: Security, Strategy, and Defense. Calgary, AB. February 2016. Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, Alberta, Canada.
Schmidt, L. (2015) Herstories: Feminism, Women, and Comic Books. Calgary Comic Expo Academic Panel Series. Calgary, AB. March 2015.
Schmidt, L. (2015) Queerness: Exploring Student Engagement in a Campus Environment. CivicCON Conference. Calgary, AB. March 2015.
Other Honours:
Managing Editor, Cambridge Review of International Affairs
Cambridge University “Rising Stars” – Public Engagement Program
University of Calgary Arch Award Recipient - Early Career Achievement Award (2023)
Research Fellow, North American and Arctic Defense Security Network
Killam Fellow, Fulbright Foundation (Alumna)
Alberta Top 30 Under 30