• University of Reading
New

Supporting LGBTQ+ Welfare When Travelling Internationally For Work

Create safer international travel through inclusive policies, effective risk assessments, and better duty of care.

Airplane model on LGBT pride flags

Supporting LGBTQ+ Welfare When Travelling Internationally For Work

  • 2 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks

  • Weekly study

    3 hours

  • 100% online

    How it works

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    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more
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Build travel policies that protect every member of your organisation

International travel creates opportunities for organisations, but also risks that aren’t experienced equally by everyone.

For many LGBTQ+ employees, travelling overseas can involve navigating different legal systems, cultural attitudes, and personal safety considerations that traditional travel policies often overlook.

Drawing on original research involving interviews with 60 LGBTQ+ academics and professionals, this course explores how organisations can develop more inclusive approaches to international mobility.

Understand why inclusive travel policies matter

Begin by examining the realities of international travel through the experiences of LGBTQ+ travellers.

You’ll explore the current policy landscape, understand organisational duty of care, and discover how gaps in travel planning can create unnecessary risks for both LGBTQ+ employees and employers.

Strengthen risk assessments and organisational support

Effective travel support goes far beyond booking flights.

You’ll learn how to evaluate existing travel policies, strengthen risk assessment procedures, and identify practical ways to support LGBTQ+ staff throughout every stage of international travel—from preparation and departure to returning home.

Turn research into meaningful organisational change

Creating safer travel requires more than awareness—it requires action.

Using evidence-based frameworks developed through academic research, you’ll audit existing policies, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical approaches that support inclusive international travel.

By the end, you’ll be better equipped to influence organisational policy, strengthen workplace inclusion, and ensure international travel reflects the needs of every employee.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 1 second There remain over 60 countries worldwide where it is illegal to be gay. In other countries, same-sex marriage has not been legalised or same-sex marriage conducted abroad is not recognised. My name is Dr Francis Hamilton. I’m an associate professor in the School of Law here at the University of Reading. My unique research has focused on LGBTIQ plus international travel. Through study on this course, learners will understand. understand LGBTQ plus travellers, direct lived experience of international travel, given the huge diversity of legal and social treatment of LGBTQ plus persons worldwide. Internationalisation is a growing and very important agenda for both businesses and universities. International travel can assist with career growth and development and is often connected to promotion.

Skip to 0 minutes and 57 seconds Through engagement with this course, learners will be able to develop internationalisation but at the same time safeguard the welfare of their LGBTQ plus staff. Given that my research shows a lack of specific LGBTQ plus travel policy, this course enables you to actually develop those inclusive policies and we look forward to exploring this with you throughout the course.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Why inclusive travel policy matters

    • Welcome to the course

      Find out what you’ll be covering in the course and meet the course educator team and your fellow learners.

    • Current landscape

      Explore the realities of LGBTQ+ travel by examining existing policies, applying an intersectional perspective, challenging common assumptions, and hearing from travelers' experiences.

    • Duty of care and risks of inaction

      Examine the core legal and practical safeguards of the workplace by exploring the employer's duty of care, identifying the five key risk areas, and assessing the costly consequences of inaction.

    • Review and Reflect

      Consolidate your learning from Week 1 by checking your knowledge and reflecting on how to apply it to your own professional context to support inclusive travel policy.

  • Week 2

    Working towards an inclusive travel policy

    • Welcome to Week 2

      Find out what you'll be learning in this week of the course and hear from the Head of Health and Safety Services at the University, who discusses the importance of creating inclusive approaches to travel safety.

    • Understanding and evaluating policies

      Review different travel policies to assess the levels of support for LGBTQ+ staff, identify gaps in protection, and share practical ways to improve your organisation's approach.

    • Supporting travel

      Explore real-world impact through an interview with an organisation, examine 2 scenarios to look at how international travel affects different employees, and use practical support checklists to improve your work's travel policy.

    • Review and Reflect

      Reflect on what you've discovered about inclusive travel policy, what you’ve learned this week and throughout the course, and explore ideas to build on your learning.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ staff and students when exercising international mobility
  • Evaluate how employer duty of care obligations towards LGBTQ+ travellers can be fulfilled
  • Evaluate existing travel policies using evidence-based frameworks
  • Develop comprehensive, inclusive risk assessment procedures
  • Identify effective support structures across pre-departure, during travel, and post-return phases

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for HR professionals, global mobility teams, travel managers, university staff, policymakers, and organisational leaders responsible for supporting international travel. It’s ideal for anyone seeking to strengthen duty of care through more inclusive travel policies.

Who will you learn with?

Frances Hamilton

My name is Dr Frances Hamilton. I am an Associate Professor at the University of Reading School of Law. My research area is Gender Sexuality and the Law and I have a special interest in LGBTQ+ travel.

Katerina Hadjistavri

Who developed the course?

University of Reading

The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.

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Choose the best way to learn for you!

Best Value - learn more, save more!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Continue & Upgrade

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 2 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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