Meet the expert

Meet the Expert PhD Special Edition: Sarah Rabin

Welcome to a special edition of 'Meet the Expert', our series bringing you informative interviews with Armed Forces researchers, policymakers, and service providers. This special edition features a PhD Researcher as our expert. Read on to hear about their experiences during their PhD, the impact of their current work, and their insights on key issues impacting the Armed Forces community.

mceu_25361026311750624590257.pngIn this issue, we interviewed Sarah Rabin. Sarah is completing her PhD at King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) at King's College London with The Royal British Legion as an external partner. Sarah’s PhD is focused on the health and well-being of UK LGBT+ Serving and ex-Serving military members in the post-LGBT+ ban era and is the first project of it's kind in the UK. 

1. Please tell us about your background and how you came to undertake a PhD relating to the Armed Forces community?  

My interest in military psychology began unexpectedly at the age of 15. Despite having no personal or family connection to the Armed Forces, I woke up one day determined to pursue a career in military psychology. I grew up in California and began volunteering at my local Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) clinic as a teenager, assisting with a nationwide genome mapping project. This initial experience sparked a long-term commitment to the field. 

During my undergraduate studies, I interned at another VA clinic, where I contributed to Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Following graduation, I continued this trajectory by working at yet another VA clinic, researching suicide prevention initiatives targeting Veteran populations. These experiences naturally led me to pursue a Master’s in War and Psychiatry at King’s College London. My MSc dissertation examined the psychological impacts of the final withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan on UK Armed Forces personnel and Veterans.

After completing my Master’s, I joined the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) as a research assistant. I am now undertaking my PhD within the same department, continuing to explore critical issues affecting the Armed Forces community.  

 

 2. Can you describe your PhD project and how you feel this work fits into the bigger picture of understanding and supporting the Armed Forces community? 

Until the year 2000, individuals in the UK Armed Forces who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other minoritised sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+) were prohibited from Serving openly. Those suspected of being LGBTQ+ faced dishonourable discharge, invasive medical examinations, and the loss of medals, awards, and pensions. In recent years, significant steps have been taken to address these historic injustices. These include a Governmental Inquiry into the impacts of the ban, the restoration of medals and pensions, financial reparations, and a formal apology from the UK Government. 

While these efforts represent critical progress, they largely focus on those who served prior to 2000. Much less attention has been paid to the experiences of LGBTQ+ personnel who joined the military after the ban was lifted. This is the focus of my PhD research. 

To the best of my knowledge, my study is the first to explore the mental health and well-being impacts of the pre-2000 ban on those who served solely after it was formally repealed. My research examines the health and well-being of UK LGBTQ+ Serving and ex-Serving personnel who joined in the post-ban era, shedding light on how historical exclusion continues to shape contemporary military life. In the context of ongoing shifts in LGBTQ+ policies both here and abroad, this work is timely and aims to amplify the voices of a historically underrepresented and often vilified population.  

There has been a steady increase in disparagement aimed at the wider LGBTQ+ community and other minoritised groups in 2025, which increases the urgency and importance of this work. All of these policies and practices pose a grave threat to the health and security of the entire Armed Forces community, and it is imperative that anyone who can use their voice to support all members of this broad community does so. In particular, the trans community is being berated by misinformation and vitriol, precisely because they are already the most vulnerable. These attacks feed into a much wider narrative surrounding anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that will perniciously spread farther and wider if left unchecked. 

My PhD feels even more critical at this moment than when I started in 2023, and my background as an American expat and former VA employee has greatly influenced my determination to use my platform, given that so many in my country of origin are unable to speak out.  

 

3. Can you tell us about the research methods you are using in your PhD project? Are there any that you are particularly drawn to and enjoy using, and if so, why? 

I am utilising a mixed-methods approach for my PhD, which includes conducting a quantitative study and 30-40 semi-structured interviews. Given the limited research on this particular cohort, I’m especially drawn to the qualitative component. The interviews provide an opportunity to hear directly from individuals in their own words, something I believe is essential in a field that has historically overlooked their perspectives. These narratives add depth, nuance, and human context to the quantitative findings, helping to create a more holistic and meaningful understanding of their lived experiences. It’s this personal dimension of the research that I find most compelling and valuable. 

 

4. What are your future aspirations following your PhD, and any hopes for the impact your research may make? 

Following the completion of my PhD, I hope to continue both researching and advocating for the LGBTQ+ Armed Forces community. This project hopefully marks only the beginning of efforts to illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ+ personnel who have served in the post-ban era. Since the beginning of my PhD in 2023, the global landscape for LGBTQ+ personnel has shifted dramatically. 

At the outset of my research, all five of the 5EYES nations (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States) had lifted their respective bans on LGBTQ+ personnel Serving openly. Historically, much of the academic literature in this space has come from the United States. However, recent policy reversals in the US have reinstated restrictions on trans individuals Serving openly, halted ongoing research, renamed Naval ships that are dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals, cancelled planned research, and removed official resources, creating a concerning regression in progress and visibility. Further, the UK Supreme Court recently narrowly defined what constitutes a woman, which LGBTQ+ advocates see as a step backwards for trans inclusion. 

Given these contexts, it is more important than ever to step forward as leaders in this field. I hope that my research contributes to this effort by highlighting a population whose voices are often marginalised, even as they continue to serve. My aspiration is that this work will serve as a foundation for further inquiry and advocacy, and that it will encourage greater global attention to the rights, health, sacrifice and dignity of all military personnel.  

I remain deeply committed to promoting equality and equity for LGBTQ+ individuals in uniform, particularly as they face increasing hostility and erasure, and I plan to continue serving all who serve for the rest of my career. 

 

5. What other areas of research or policy relating to the Armed Forces Community are you especially passionate about? Please expand on this and tell us about them, as much as you can.  

I am passionate about advancing equity and inclusion across the entire Armed Forces community. I believe it is both a professional and personal responsibility to speak up for those who continue to be marginalised and vilified, particularly LGBTQ+ personnel, whose Service and sacrifices have too often gone unrecognised or been actively undermined. 

Recent policy shifts in both the UK and the US serve as stark reminders that the struggle for full equality is far from over. LGBTQ+ individuals have always Served, and they will always Serve. No anti-LGBTQ+ restrictions will ever change that. Like their non-LGBTQ+ peers, LGBTQ+ individuals demonstrate bravery, resilience, and dedication in their military roles. However, unlike many of their counterparts, they often face additional risks, not due to their capacity or competence, but because of their identities and others’ discomfort with these identities. 

There is no credible evidence to suggest that LGBTQ+ personnel are any less capable of fulfilling military duties. On the contrary, the data consistently point to challenges being rooted in systemic barriers, discriminatory policies, and a lack of institutional support. These factors can significantly impact mental health, job satisfaction, and retention, ultimately harming not only the individuals themselves but also the broader effectiveness and cohesion of the Armed Forces. 

Limiting the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Service members does not enhance operational readiness or national security. Instead, such policies contribute to an unsafe and inequitable environment. The true harm lies not in the presence of LGBTQ+ identities within the military but in the persistent policies and attitudes that deny their legitimacy, dignity, and full inclusion. 

I am passionate about contributing to research and policy changes that dismantle these barriers and foster a culture where all personnel, regardless of identity, are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. 

 

6. What do you think are the key challenges impacting current ex-Service personnel and their families, and how do you think research and/or policy can be best used to address them? 

One of the key challenges currently facing Armed Forces personnel and their families is the continued lack of visibility and understanding of the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals within this community. Despite ongoing efforts to improve support for Veterans more broadly, LGBTQ+ personnel and their families remain largely overlooked in both research and policy. As a result, we lack even the most basic data on what provisions, services, or forms of support are most needed. 

Without intentional, focused research, it is impossible to develop evidence-based policies that effectively address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ personnel and their loved ones. These gaps can lead to inadequate access to healthcare, mental health support, housing services, and community resources, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating additional burdens for those who have already Served. 

To begin addressing these challenges, there must be a concerted effort across both academic and policy-making spaces to prioritise the inclusion of LGBTQ+ experiences in research. This includes collecting disaggregated data, consulting directly with LGBTQ+ personnel and their families, and designing targeted support systems informed by their lived experiences. 

Ultimately, a more inclusive and responsive approach to research and policy is essential, not only to ensure that all Veterans receive the support they deserve, but also to honour the diverse contributions of those who have Served. 

7. What do you think will be the leading challenges for the next generation of ex-Service personnel, and how do you think research and/or policy can be best used to address them? 

I believe that one of the most pressing challenges facing the next generation of ex-Service personnel is the growing threat of systemic erasure and suppression of military-related research from the US, particularly as it relates to vulnerable or marginalised populations. The ripple effects of US censorship are felt around the world, as the majority of research in these fields has historically been conducted in the US. Without this evidence base, the foundation for conducting military research elsewhere is severely disrupted. Amid shifting geopolitical landscapes and increasingly volatile policy environments, the continuation of rigorous, inclusive research is far from guaranteed. 

In conversations with colleagues at VA institutions across the United States, including some from my former departments, many have expressed deep concern over the uncertainty surrounding the future of their work. Research projects are being stalled or cancelled, errors in statistical analyses are increasing due to omitting variables deemed irrelevant, and there is a troubling trend of discouraging the collection of demographic data, data that are crucial for identifying population specific risk factors and tailoring support services accordingly. The result is a decline in the scientific quality and applicability of research, which in turn negatively impacts healthcare provision, service planning, and long-term outcomes for ex-Service personnel. Further, prior research indicates that LGBTQ+ personnel already experience higher risks for myriad mental health concerns and suicidality. As a former researcher of Veteran suicide, I know all too well that even small changes in policy can have far reaching implications. I worry for the safety and security of all affected by these policies, and cannot stress the urgency to adequately respond enough. It can quite simply be life or death. 

These developments are not only alarming, they are destructive. The long-term consequences will likely reverberate for generations, undermining decades of progress in Veteran care and policy. To mitigate this, there must be a global shift in responsibility for leading high-quality, inclusive research from the US to other nations. Countries outside the US, including the UK and other allies, should step forward to ensure that this vital work continues with integrity and academic freedom. This pairs well with the UK’s recent conversations surrounding increasing the defence budget. As the defence budget increases, so should the emphasis on taking care of all members of the Armed Forces community. 

While this transition from US to global research will undoubtedly be challenging, it is necessary. Research and policy must remain independent, robust, and evidence-driven. If we are to truly support the next generation of ex-Service personnel, we must act now to preserve the infrastructure, funding, and political independence to do so.

 

8. Given unlimited funding and time, what would be your dream piece of research to undertake involving the Armed Forces community? 

I love this question! With unlimited funding and time, my dream research project would be an expansive, multinational study conducted across all five 5EYES countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States), focused on the experiences of LGBTQ+ military personnel. 

The core of this project would be large-scale qualitative research, involving in-depth interviews with Serving and ex-Serving LGBTQ+ individuals from across the full spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. It would intentionally include voices that are often underrepresented, such as those who identify as pansexual, intersex, non-binary, or otherwise outside of traditional identity categories. Too often, the LGBTQ+ community is treated as a single, homogeneous group. In reality, it encompasses a wide array of distinct experiences and challenges that each deserve individual attention and analysis. 

This research would aim to explore the cross-cultural impacts of being LGBTQ+ in military contexts, examining how different national policies, cultural attitudes, and institutional practices shape these experiences. By moving beyond generalisations and embracing the complexity within the LGBTQ+ umbrella, such a project could inform more nuanced, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches to healthcare, mental health services, policy-making, and support provision. 

Ultimately, this kind of research would represent a significant step forward in understanding and addressing the needs of a historically overlooked population, and could help lay the groundwork for tailored, person-centred support systems within and beyond the Armed Forces. 

Many thanks to Sarah Rabin for sharing her insights.

Catch us next month for another interesting and informative interview with an expert from the Armed Forces Community.

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