In previous research projects, I have analysed data (I prefer the term ‘stories’) either on my own (Munday et al., 2025a), as part of a larger research team (Munday et al., 2025b; Munday & Tansley, 2026; Tansley et al., 2024) or as a secondary analysis for another (Bruce et al., 2023). However, for my PhD study, I will be analysing alongside four amazing trans and gender diverse co-researchers who have differing experiences of health and social care in the UK. We started analysing interview transcripts together using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006; 2023) some months ago and have another theming session at the end of August, before we start writing up our findings.
I was slightly worried at the beginning of the process, not about the co-researcher’s ability or skill (honestly, this group is formidable), but about timelines and logistics of doing this with four others online. How would we do this in an accessible way? How could we all join in? Was everyone still interested and feeling confident about the process? I was worried that I wouldn’t explain the process properly, or worse, that I would over-explain it.
I wasn’t surprised when the co-researchers dived into the transcripts and interpreted them in a thoughtful, interesting and respectful way. The co-researcher’s understanding has added so much depth to our shared understanding of these stories. In many cases, the “I” of the interviewees became “we” and “us” during the theming process.
Theming together has strengthened our bond as researchers and humans – it has given us an opportunity to share our own experiences, all the times we weren’t listened to, the good practitioners, the awful practitioners, and the endless referrals that go nowhere. Constant experiences of trans broken arm syndrome (where unrelated health experiences are brushed under the rug or explicitly put down to medical transition). Sharing the analysis process has been a blessing and a joy. Through this process, we have made insightful interpretations, and it has also strengthened our team.
Together, we are solidifying our understanding of trans and gender diverse autistic health and social care experiences as multifaceted. There are multiple layers to care experiences – a person must first make it through the door of the services before they are seen, before they are then cared for. The effectiveness and accessibility of one step affects the next and can add to the (un)merry-go-round effect of care.
What started out as a worry about getting things done in time soon turned into a warm recounting of interviewees’ stories. Stories were held and strengthened by the co-researchers’ understanding, care, and attention. I am so lucky to continue to bear witness to the power and magic of participatory action research. Co-researchers and I are currently writing a paper on our interview findings. I will share a link to the publication here, as well as a plain-language version and a summary, after it is published.
References
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2023). Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing researcher. International Journal of Transgender Health, 24(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2129597
Munday, K., & Tansley, R. (2026). “What I would like to change” about Cancer care accessibility. Journal of Community Nursing, 40 (2), 44-49. https://www.jcn.co.uk/journals/issue/04-2026/article/i-would-like-change-cancer-care-accessibility
Munday, K., Kapp, S. K., & Morris, C. (2025a). Transgender and gender diverse autistic adults’ experiences of (un)belonging. PLOS ONE, 20(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338569
Papadopoulos, C., Adkin, T., Munday, K., & Gray-Hammond, D. (2025). Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Among Self-Medicating Autistic Adults. Neurodiversity, 3. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330251344453
Munday, K., Papadopoulos, C., Adkin, T., & Gray-Hammond, D. (2025b). Improving substance use services for autistic adults: Insights and recommendations from autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood, 00 (00), 1-13. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.0213
Tansley, R., Corbin-Clarke, S., Munday, K., Durrant, A. and Hughes, M. (2024). “What I would like to say” findings: Cancer care for everyone. Journal of Community Nursing, 38 (1), 46-50. https://www.jcn.co.uk/journals/issue/02-2024/article/what-i-would-like-to-say-findings-cancer-care-for-everyone
Bruce, H., Munday, K., & Kapp, S.K. (2023). Exploring the Experiences of Autistic Transgender and Non-Binary Adults in Seeking Gender Identity Healthcare. Autism and Adulthood, 5 (2), 191-203. http://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0003