Dr. Wendy Peters, Associate Professor, Gender Equality and Social Justice

Tender TV in Turbulent Times: 2SLGBTQIA+ Viewers and Their Relationship to Netflix’s Heartstopper 

Dr. Wendy Peters is seeking 2SLGBTQIA+ volunteers to complete a 15-20 minute anonymous survey or a virtual interview of up to 60 minutes about their experiences watching the Netflix series Heartstopper.

This research explores how 2SLGBTQIA+ viewers in Canada watch, interpret, and negotiate the Netflix series Heartstopper in relation to their identities, lived experiences, and cultural contexts. The purpose is to create a detailed snapshot of how this series—which features lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary, trans, and asexual characters—functions in 2SLGBTQIA+ viewers’ lives, including how we come to watch Heartstopper, how we watch the series (e.g. with others, alone, repeatedly, etc.), how we understand it, and what we do with the show in the context of our lives.
 
You are eligible to participate if you have:

• Watched at least one season of Heartstopper
• Self-identify as 2SLGBTQIA+
• Are over 18, and reside in Canada.

You can complete the survey and remain completely anonymous.

We are looking for 85 participants (maximum 75 surveys and 10 interviews). You don’t need to be a fan of the series; you just need to have watched it and have thoughts that you are willing to share.

To complete the survey, please click the link below.

If you would prefer a one-hour virtual and recorded interview with the researcher or if you have questions about this research, please email wendyp@nipissingu.ca. 

This study, titled “Tender TV in Turbulent Times: 2SLGBTQIA+ Viewers and Their Relationship to Netflix’s Heartstopper,” has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through Nipissing University’s Research Ethics Board (NUREB 104075).