LGBT applicants view teaching as vehicle for change

LGBT applicants for teacher training are more likely to consider the job a vehicle for social change, according to a study.

Research conducted by academics at NUI Galway is part of a larger ‘Diversity in Initial Teacher Education (DITE) in Ireland’ project. It analysed responses to an anonymous, online questionnaire from applicants, for the Professional Master in Education programme offered by various universities.

Of 746 survey respondents, 595 completed the section identifying sexual orientation. More than 91% identified as heterosexual or straight, and just under 4% identified as non-heterosexual.