Key note speakers; Confirmed Panels; Program TBC; Individual Paper submission deadline 16 February 2018
Abstract submission and guidance for presenters
Important dates and code of conduct
More about the city, conference venue, and accommodation
Welcome to the Intersex Social Science: Activism, Human Rights, and Citizenship conference website.
This 2-day conference provides a multi-disciplinary forum for the further development of social science approaches to Intersex and Variations of Sex Characteristics. Sociological, anthropological, political science, philosophical, psychological and other approaches are all crucial for developing knowledge that centres the experiences and insights of Intersex people and those with Variations of Sex Characteristics. A commitment to fostering positive Intersex activist and academic alliances lies at the heart of this conference.
People born with Intersex variations (medically referred to with the controversial term ‘DSD’ (Disorders of Sex Development)) are born with diversities in their sex characteristics that are perceived to fall outside the socially constructed norms for the male and female body. The medical treatment of these variations has raised criticism from Intersex people themselves, as well as many international bodies. This conference will highlight and develop human rights approaches to Intersex and Variations of Sex Characteristics. It will foreground emerging theoretical frameworks and concepts that support Intersex human rights, including the social model of Intersex health, and notions of Intersex citizenship. The conference will provide space for understanding the wide range of strategies used by Intersex advocates and human rights defenders. We will also address the day-day lived experiences of Intersex people and those with Variations of Sex Characteristics.
We welcome attendees who have a supportive interest in Intersex human rights topics and related areas. This conference provides an opportunity to learn about the key issues from a wide range of international experts. It will be of interest to policy makers, practitioners in areas such as healthcare and education, activists and advocates working in the Intersex area and in other areas, interested laypeople, and postgraduate and undergraduate students. The conference will provide space for networking for both Intersex activists and for non-intersex allies.
The conference is taking place in the beautiful historic city of Bologna. It will be conducted in English with subtitles in Italian for keynote presentations. Multi-lingual facilitators will be available for discussions where possible.
This event is the final project conference of a two-year EU funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship that conducted qualitative research in Italy, the UK and Switzerland on Intersex, Citizenship and Human Rights. Please read our new report: Intersex, Variations of Sex Characteristics, and DSD: The Need for Change. Hard copies of the report can be ordered via the following link: Intersex, Variations of Sex Characteristics, and DSD: The Need for Change | University of Huddersfield Online Store.
Places at the conference are limited so please book early.
Abstracts can be up to 500 words each and should include your core argument, methods used for your work, key findings, and implications for the field. Please submit your abstract via the submission portal. The deadline for abstract submission is Friday, February 16, 2018.
People presenting papers at the conference will have the opportunity to have their work considered for inclusion in a Special Edition of an international journal (details TBC).
Dr Daniela Crocetti, Senior Research Fellow, University of Huddersfield, UK.
Professor Surya Monro, Professor of Sociology and Director the Centre for Citizenship, Conflict, Identity, and Diversity (CCID), University of Huddersfield, UK.
Dr Tray Yeadon-Lee, senior Lecturer of Sociology, University of Huddersfield, UK.
Professor Roberto Brigati, Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of Bologna, Italy.
Professor Raffaella Campaner, Professor of Philosophy of Science, University of Bologna, Italy.
Please note that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with the exception of the limited free places for activists and students of the collaborating Universities which will be held until full.
For further information and queries please contact Daniela Crocetti and Surya Monro on Daniela.crocetti@unibo.it and s.monro@hud.ac.uk.