About Us

In Fall of 2023, a student asked Martin what type of research would they do if they could do anything they wanted. Martin described research focused at the intersection of Fashion and Gender with an arts-based element. Then the student asked why they aren't just doing that... And that was the beginning of Happiness in the Closet (the name would come later from Tor).

We see Happiness in the Closet as a collaborative, we are a team who are learning together - from one another and the larger community.

Why "Happiness in the Closet?" Tor unpacks this a bit in our first podcast episode, but we will give you some background here.

First, we wanted to highlight the resilience we share. Our collective ability - often born out of necessity - to live and express happiness even when society tells us no. For some of us, we had to (or still have to) hide who we are, but when we find moments of solitude in "our closet," we were able to live into our full selves and be happy. Free from expectations and rules placed on us by others, we can live and be the way we want to be.

Second, and this is a play on our first research study and quite a bit more literal, fashion can bring so much happiness to our lives. While this may not be true for everyone, it certainly is for Martin (and as they discuss in the first podcast, this is a complicated dance. This is also true for the participants in our first research study). Fashion can be our outward expression of gender, our armor, our creative outlet... Whatever it is for you, we hope you find happiness in your closet, and just maybe find some inspiration from us here.

Meet the collaborators

Varun (he/they)

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

I am a Ph.D student at the University of Minnesota. While my undergraduate degree was in biochemistry, my graduate studies and research have been about cognitive psychology - which I am so grateful to be exploring. I love all things cognition and psychology! Initially, I was interested in text-based communication/comprehension and the emotions that may impact those processes. As it turns out, persuasion is an incredible avenue for research in this regard, so I've dipped my toes in those waters too, with some really exciting findings!

While quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic and discussing my relationship with my gender with my queer friends, I realized that I am nonbinary. And as I thought more about that, I realized just how much my being-Indian, my weight, and my upbringing factored into my gender. I'm really curious about the "standards" of femininity/masculinity, where those start to break down, and what makes gender and gender expression important to people on a personal level.

What makes me happy? My friends and family, who I am grateful for everyday for their companionship, love, joy, and overwhelming support. Also, music!

Will Boomer (he/him)

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Will is a first year Learning Technology Master's student at the University of Minnesota. Currently Will's research focuses on the experiences of students with marginalized identities in academia. Through his work, he hopes to create academic environments with the guidance and resources that were not available to himself.

Annabel Bruton (she/her)

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Annabel is finishing her final semester as an undergraduate Psychology student at the University of Minnesota, with minors in Applied Psychology in Education and Community Settings and Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature. Annabel is interested in researching queer joy, gender euphoria, and wellbeing. Outside of her research, Annabel also works as a teaching assistant and student resource supervisor. After graduating, she hopes to work as an academic advisor and pursue a Master's degree in Higher Education.

Tor Chavarria, M.P.P. (they/them)

City of Minneapolis, Government

Tor currently is a Management Analyst for the City of Minneapolis. They graduated from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs with their masters in Public Polcy in 2022. Tor is passionate about creating a better future for Queer and BIPOC communities through policy change and reform. Tor would like to spread the message that in order to love ourselves we must be free to be ourselves. No one is equal until we all are equal.

Chris Steadman, M.S. (he/him)

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Chris is a Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology studying all things learning and memory. Recently, his research interests have led him to study how we get stuck in certain patterns of thought and the ways that this can show up in our lives, especially when learning. His gender research work is inspired by his own struggles with finding himself as a queer person and learning to live authentically.

What makes me happy? A good book, horror movies, knitting, and tennis. Also spending time with my amazing partner and husband, Zack, and our two new dogs, Trixie and Scrappy.

Martin Van Boekel (they/them)

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Where do I find happiness? I'm lucky to have an amazingly supportive partner and child, who both mean the world to me. I have great friends (even though I don't text back and rarely make it out to be with them). I also get a lot of joy from my job, particularly the students I have the pleasure of working with. I'm trying to figure out how to have hobbies. Can I actually learn to drum or make my own clothes? Time will tell, but right now I'm enjoying the journey... most of the time.

My teaching focuses on the cognitive, educational, and social factors that influence how we learn. I teach and support both graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota.

I've been fortunate to work with many amazing collaborators across my research career. At the moment my research has two distinct areas/goals: 1) academic feedback and 2) elevating trans and non-binary voices. Being non-binary really shapes all that I do, but it brings a different level of urgency (maybe that's the right word) to my work with trans and non-binary people. Being part of the "Happiness in the Closet" collaborative will allow me to continue to learn from an amazing group of people, connect with the larger community, and hopefully open the doors to me contributing some insight as well.

My faculty profile page: https://edpsych.umn.edu/martin-van-boekel

Shelby Weisen, M.A. (she/her)

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Shelby’s research focuses on the intersection between social and educational elements of psychology with specific interest in collaborative learning, academic feedback, and diversity in undergraduate classrooms. With aims of becoming a professor someday, Shelby aspires to complete research projects that will give her future students a better life. Shelby's current focus on gender research is inspired by her brother, Clay, and his experiences as a transgender male.

What makes me happy? Meeting new people, taking care of animals, and a crispy Diet Coke in the morning.

If you are interested in getting in contact with us, please reach out to Martin at vanbo024@umn.edu

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