Profile
Luan Cassal
Text analyst
My CV
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Education:
I went to State schools in Rio de Janeiro. I attended a Professional College in Health Inspection from 2001 to 2003 at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I had my first classes in Psychology in this course.
From 2004 to 2009, I did my full-time Bsc in Psychology at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I discovered there the amazing world of psychology as a science and a profession, and many possible applications.
Then I went for a Master of Research in Psychology at the same university, from 2010 to 2012. My research focused on social psychology and how some newspapers articles could affect people’s behaviour and feelings.
After some years without studying, I started a Doctoral Studies Course in Psychology at Federal Fluminense University, also in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2015. I had many brilliant professors who have taught me how psychology could and should make the world better. During this course, I got a scholarship for a research internship at University of Coimbra, Portugal, in 2018.
I fell in love with research and decided to apply for a PhD abroad. So, since 2019 I am doing a PhD in Education at University of Manchester. I am supervised by one of the most important social psychologists in the world, and I am also learning many skills and subjects on research.
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Qualifications:
The Brazilian educational system is really different from the British one. However, I would say I had to have very different skills and knowledge to study and work with psychology. My undergrad course included advanced units in Sociology, Anthropology, Physiology, Anatomy, Statistics, History, Research Methodology, and Politics. Also, I attended dozens of specific units in Psychology and years of internship practice. My previous college training as a health inspector was quite useful for that. However, my teachers, lecturers and professors in psychology advised me to be interested in literature, arts, and cinema, so I could have an open mind for different stories, perspectives, and experiences.
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Work History:
– Research assistant in Mental Health at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
– Tutor in Gender, Sexuality and Diversity at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
– Lecturer in Psychology at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
– Educational Psychologist at Municipality of Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Current Job:
PhD researcher in Education, Graduate Teaching Assistant in Education, and Research Assistant in LGBT Rights.
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About Me:
I am a psychologist from Brazil, and I am studying how the British government discusses gender identities. And I like comics, games, books, and movies!
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Read more
I am a psychologist from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is my second year living in Manchester for my PhD in Education.
In my spare time, I read lots of super-hero comics (both DC and Marvel) and books, watch series and movies, and play videogames (currently in love with “Fire Emblem: Three Houses”). I spend lots of time on video calls, talking with family and friends in Brazil and across Europe. My first language is Portuguese and, besides English, I also learned Spanish and French. I love to talk about my country and travelling experiences.
I am also a queer activist, and my pronouns are he/him.
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Read more
In Brazil, I used to be an educational psychologist, researcher, and lecturer, focusing on human rights issues – guaranteeing that everyone receives fair treatment in schools and universities.
Now, I am researching what the British government publishes about gender identity, and how a certain group of people – trans and gender non-conforming teenagers and young adults, more exactly – feel about those discussions. I also assist other lecturers and researchers at my University on similar subjects.
I wish to help people to live in a better society, everywhere. Because we must all live together. If things are hard for someone, everyone should be worried!
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My Typical Day:
I spend my day on the computer, reading documents, writing my thoughts and impressions, attending meetings, and talking online with other people who studies similar things.
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Read more
I must read a lot and many different things! So, I spend my day on my computer.
I read newspapers, academic journals, books, laws, government reports, charities’ reviews and take notes about what and how gender (and sometimes sexuality) is explained. Since English is not my first language, sometimes I am surprised by words, sentences, and information that are common for native speakers. So, I read in a slightly different way, and that is what makes my work even more interesting and valuable! Then, I write notes, essays, and reports with my findings.
I also attend seminars to understand more about gender and sexuality. And I talk with so many people! I will start to do interviews and groups to discuss the effects of those discourses in peoples’ lives.
Because of the lockdown, I am doing that from home. But in regular times, I would go to my office at University of Manchester to do that. I share a room with other researchers in Education, many of them from other countries, like me.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I wish to organise online discussions on gender identity rights and schools.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
geek queer psychologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
A journalist. I always enjoyed to listen and register stories. But I thought I could do more about those stories as a psychologist.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yeah... And I don't recommend that! But I also discovered that people always can change - including myself. That was helpful to talk as a psychologist with students having a bad time.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I have been listening The Killers a lot. And also Pato Fu. Don't you know them? You should check it out ;)
What's your favourite food?
I really miss Feijoada, a typical Brazilian stew with black beans and meat.
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