Canadian Researcher Resumes Study on Trans Athletes After U.S. Setbacks

A Canadian researcher has returned to her home country after her study on transgender athletes faced significant challenges and lost funding in the United States. Joanna Harper, who has dedicated the last two decades to examining how hormone therapy impacts the athletic performance of transgender individuals, is now focusing her efforts at Western University in London, Ontario.

In early 2024, Harper began a project at a university in Portland, Oregon, aimed at assessing the fitness performance levels of trans youth before and after they started puberty blockers or hormone therapy. Initially intended to span five years, the project was abruptly halted after just 18 months. Harper attributed the loss of funding to the political climate in the U.S. following the election of former President Donald Trump, who implemented several policies viewed as detrimental to the transgender community.

“Once Trump got elected, it was certainly understood by all of us that many things concerning trans people in the U.S. were in danger,” Harper stated, reflecting on the atmosphere of uncertainty that followed his election. The Trump administration enacted various measures, including a directive that recognized only two genders on federal documents and a ban preventing individuals assigned male at birth from competing in women’s sports.

Funding for Harper’s research project originated from a collaborative initiative among four American institutions, with support from the athletic brand Nike. In spring 2024, as U.S. government funding for scientific research was slashed, Harper’s project lost its financial backing and was scrapped entirely. Nike has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the funding cut.

While the U.S. government did not directly terminate her research, Harper believes the negative attitudes toward transgender individuals influenced the decision. “I certainly don’t blame Nike. I blame the people who put political pressure on Nike,” she explained.

New Beginnings at Western University

With her research prospects in the U.S. dimmed, Harper returned to Canada and accepted a position as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Western University. In a statement, the university’s provost and vice-president of academics, Florentine Strzelczyk, emphasized their commitment to attracting international talent, particularly in light of recent funding cuts in the U.S. The university has also introduced a new program aimed at supporting post-doctoral students affiliated with American universities, offering up to $160,000 over four years.

Harper’s journey into the world of trans athletics began during her own transition in 2004, when she noticed a significant change in her running speed. “I was running 12 percent slower, and I’m a pretty serious runner,” she remarked. “I had lost my complete male advantage, if you will, within nine months of hormone therapy.”

Despite the setbacks, Harper is determined to continue her research on trans athletes. However, she faces the challenge of starting anew, as not enough data was collected during her previous project. The specifics of her next study are still being finalized, and she is actively seeking funding. Harper plans to collaborate with local trans athletes to better understand their evolving athletic capabilities.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me, but certainly no trans research will be done in the U.S. until at least 2029, and even then, the future is somewhat fraught,” she concluded. As Harper embarks on this new chapter, her commitment to advancing the understanding of trans athletes remains unwavering.