Digital Dilemmas: Transforming Gender Identities and Power Relations in Everyday Life
Colloquium, 5-6th August, 2016, University of Waterloo, Canada
Due date for abstract submission 31st January, 2016.
The proliferation of digital technologies, virtual spaces, and new forms of engagement raise key questions about the changing nature of gender relations and identities within democratic societies. Over two days the colloquium will bring together scholars, graduate students and policy makers/advocates to explore how our everyday leisure lives are being transformed by technology in ways that inform and challenge gender injustice for women, men, and transgender citizens. Identifying leisure related practices that are virtual and visceral the discussion will be broadly oriented around three digital dilemmas:
1. How do virtual voices influence issues at the intersection of gender and (in)justice?
2. How do innovative methodologies enable new insights into the social transformation of gender relations, digital cultures, and social justice?
3. How is digital technology shaping relationships between diverse citizens, communities and policy makers in the context of gender equity?
Adopting an interdisciplinary approach the colloquium will draw upon different theories, methodologies, and applied (policy and practice related) perspectives to examine the interrelationships of gendered leisure, advocacy, and civic engagement. In doing so, we seek to advance new approaches to understanding, critiquing, and mobilizing action within the complex gendered relations between leisure spaces and digital practices. The two keynote speakers for the event include:
Dr. Brittany Cooper, Rutgers University co-founder Crunk Feminist Collective.
Dr. Aimée Morrison, University of Waterloo, co-founder Hook and Eye: Fast feminism, slow academe.
Academic submissions
We welcome abstracts from academics that address these questions from diverse social science and humanities disciplines. We will select six academic papers for 30 minutes presentations and provide subsidized funding for travel costs. The event will provide an opportunity for additional academic contributions to round table discussions during the colloquium and networking. We will be proposing a special issue of an interdisciplinary journal to support the publication of colloquium papers.
Graduate students submissions
We welcome abstracts from graduate students that address these questions from diverse social science and humanities disciplines. We will select four graduate students to contribute their research to a panel discussion and we will provide subsidized funding for travel costs. The event will provide networking and mentoring opportunities for graduate students.
Please submit your 300 word abstract including name, title, academic/graduate student status, institution and contact details to: digitald@uwaterloo.ca
Organising Committee: Dr. Diana Parry and Dr. Corey Johnson, University of Waterloo and Dr. Simone Fullagar, University of Bath.
Supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Canada, the University of Waterloo and the University of Bath, UK.
Mark Carrigan 