Negotiating (in)visibility: A phenomenological analysis of asexual students’ experiences of university

Asexuality research is an emerging topic and understanding gained through the perspectives of asexuals offer insights into how asexuality is experienced within social contexts. This exploratory study sought to understand the everyday experiences of self-identified asexuals within university contexts, the challenges they face and the ways in which these are understood and navigated. Four participants, attending UK universities, were recruited through lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Facebook groups. Data was collected through photo-elicitation interviews and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis, through which three superordinate themes were developed: navigating normative social space, navigating (in)visibility and coming out and creating safer spaces. These, along with their subordinate themes, are outlined and then discussed in relation to existing literature and recommendations for future research are made.