The future of sex and gender studies

Hot topics in sex and gender studies were discussed by researchers from the University of St Andrews at an international conference last weekend.

Academics from the School of English made an important contribution to current research in sexuality studies at the event in Edinburgh on November 28th and 29th.

The conference, run jointly with the University of Edinburgh, aimed to explore present and past narratives of sexuality, and to ask what is at stake in the recent turn to the issue of time in gender studies.

Co-organiser PhD Student Ben Davies explained, “The question of time has become a major concern and is proving to be a particularly useful means of approaching gender and sexuality.”

Important recent work in the field of gender studies has begun to address how time comes to structure and determine the meaning of bodily experiences and expressions.

Ben continued, “Since we are both exploring questions of temporality and sex/uality as part of our PhD projects, this has been a great opportunity to get in touch with PhD students and academics from across the world who are working on these issues.

“Organising the conference has been a fantastic experience and Jana and I are thrilled about the tremendous amount of interest it has generated.”

Over 100 delegates attended the Edinburgh event that was financially supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Professor Gill Plain, Professor Lorna Hutson and Dr Sarah Dillon from the University’s School of English also took part in a round-table event, which discussed, amongst other things, the future of sex and gender studies.

Illustrious keynote speakers that are at the forefront of research in the field addressed the conference. Speaking at the event were Professor Judith Halberstam, Professor Claire Colebrook and Professor Annamarie Jagose from California, Edinburgh and New Zealand respectively.

The “Sex/ualities In and Out of Time” Conference was jointly organised by Ben Davies, University of St Andrews and Jana Funke, University of Edinburgh.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Ben Davies is available for interview on Tel: 01334 425020 or E-mail: [email protected]

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, Mobile: 07730 415 015 or Email: [email protected]
Ref:  sexualities 28/11/08
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk