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This trend could lead one to believe that the number of transgender academics specialized in transgender issues at Canadian universities has grown. But this is not the case. Despite the fact that there are now more transgender graduates who are experts in these studies, it seems that departments are not yet ready to hire them. According to my research, only eight such individuals hold tenured or tenure-track positions, in all departments combined. Among these eight, only two are women, only one is a visible minority and none is Francophone. Hence, I will be the ninth professor, and first transgender Francophone, to specialize in transgender issues in Canada.

The discrimination that transgender individuals face in universities reflects the discrimination they experience generally in the workforce.

My study of the under-representation of transgender individuals who are also academic experts on trans issues shows that this relative absence can be explained not only by direct gender discrimination, but also by indirect discrimination such as lack of institutional support mechanisms – including positive discrimination measures – systemic barriers such as transphobia/cisgenderism, as well as a lack of acknowledgement of the particular realities of trans people, such as the time required for surgeries or convalescence.

Indirect discrimination is also apparent in the type of knowledge that is considered legitimate within departments, which do not see the importance of hiring those who are experts in trans issues.

Another factor contributing to this under-representation is the invisible work contributed by transgender individuals that allows universities to conduct research on transgender individuals while excluding them from tenured positions. While transgender individuals are represented in a variety of university roles, including as lecturers, part-time professors and research assistants, these positions relegate them to the background, where they often carry a significant workload without proper recognition or remuneration. It is high time this glass ceiling was broken.