Transfeminist resistance is critically under-investigated yet increasingly required in an era marked by a strong manifestation of heteroactivism and antigender mobilisations, often co-opted by far-right populisms to advocate for a nativist national identity. Stateless nations (groups with a distinct cultural, linguistic, and historical identity, without recognition as a sovereign state) are an ideal context to investigate how transfeminist resistance enables new insights into the intersection of legislation, lived experiences, and spatial struggles across scales. In the last decade, heteroactivism and antigender mobilisations have grown. Despite Europe’s strides in recognizing sexual/gender rights, studies reveal persistent state-based sexism and homophobia. In the stateless nations of Sardinia and Corsica, heteroactivist and antigender discourses are resisted by local transfeminist groups which see them as tools used to justify internal colonialism, turning these regions into sacrifice zones for military, energy, and carceral exploitation. RISE is based on two observations: (1) transfeminist resistance against the threats posed by heteroactivist and antigender mobilisation to inclusive societies is underexplored; (2) stateless nations where heteroactivist and antigender discourses on national identity and gender equality are contested remain overlooked. RISE will be the first project to examine transfeminist resistance to heteroactivism and antigender mobilisations in stateless nations to develop an intersectional understanding of gender equality in relation to national identity. I will bridge my experience as a transfeminist activist with theoretical reflection collaborating with Prof Browne, the geographer who defined the field of heteroactivism and antigender. Cited in 8000 works, she holds major influence across social sciences. With her and the UCD network engaged in related projects, I will complete RISE, contributing to future more inclusive EU societies.

Congenital anomalies, affecting 6% of all babies, are a major cause of infant mortality and childhood morbidity, of which craniomaxillofacial (CMF) anomalies are often a component part. CMF defects are severely debilitating, where the patient not only suffers physically but also psychologically. CMF implants are used to facilitate and accelerate the healing process upon which a second operation is routinely required to remove these devices as most implants comprise of non-resorbable materials (Titanium-Ti, PEEK), with limited patient-specific customisation, that may lead to stress-shielding, infection or lack of growth, particularly in vulnerable paediatric population. The AMBIT project aims to optimise and customise Bioresorbable Magnesium Implants (BMgI) for CMF applications, to overcome the limitations of current clinical gold-standard non-resorbable Ti-based implants. This action combines my expertise in metallurgy and alloy design with Dr. Eoin O'Cearbhaill’s (UCD Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBE)) and Dr. Ted Vaughan’s (NUIG) expertise in medical device development, testing and translation. This highly interdisciplinary approach will make a significant contribution to the development of bioresorbable CMF implants that will not only improve the post-operation experiences and lives of CMF implant recipients but ultimately decrease the cost burden on national health systems. Through advanced and well-designed training in research (medical device design, cell-studies for biocompatibility, 3D-Printing) and transferable skills (project management, mentorship, entrepreneurship) that go beyond my current field of specialty, and through the networking opportunities that the host will offer, this action will facilitate my reintegration in Europe, while allowing me to become a research leader in biodegradable Mg alloy design & processing for medical device applications, translating alloy design concepts from ideation to clinical use.