Facets of diversity - gender research and its significance for society

Wednesdays 18-20 h c.t. (17.04. to 24.07.)

Venues:

• University Campus Building E2 5 Lecture Hall II
• Rathausfestsaal Saarbrücken (8 May & 24 July)

Events in the LSF

Topic

"Gender" has become a polarising topic in the current public debate throughout Europe and divides politics and society. But what exactly is it all about and what does gender research do? What is it concerned with? And why is the consideration of gender and other diversity factors an important aspect of many scientific disciplines? To what extent are other dimensions of social, ethnic, cultural and sexual differentiation processes related to the subject areas of gender research? And why is gender research ultimately so important for society?

In order to address these and related questions appropriately, we are organising a lecture series at Saarland University on the topic of "Facets of diversity: gender research and its significance for society". The lecture series will be led by Prof Dr Daniela Braun (political scientist) and Prof Dr Astrid M. Fellner (Americanist) in cooperation with the UdS Gender Studies Forum, the UdS Equal Opportunities Office, the Queer Working Group and the Department of Political Education of the AStA of the UdS, the ZelL, the Women's Office of the City of Saarbrücken and the FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar and will take place in the summer semester 2024. The majority of the events will take place on the UdS campus in lecture theatre HS II / 0.02 in building E2 5. However, as the lectures are also intended for the general public, two panel discussions (on 8 May and 24 July) will take place in the town hall of the city of Saarbrücken in order to bring the wide range and expertise on the subject of gender research in our region directly to the doorstep of the interested public. The panel discussion on 8 May, which will be accompanied by a comic reading, will also take place as part of the "UdS in dialogue" series of events. The last event in the town hall will also be accompanied by an artistic supporting programme.

In terms of content, the interdisciplinary lecture series poses questions, offers answers and aims to shed light on and discuss the significance of various diversity factors in science and society. Based on the latest findings from feminist theory, gender, queer and trans studies as well as empirical gender research, selected experts from various research areas will provide an insight into recent research areas and current research approaches in the humanities, cultural studies, social sciences, law and natural sciences. In each individual session, the speakers will specifically address what gender means for them and their discipline or research topic and what specific challenges the respective subject/field has to overcome with regard to gender. Furthermore, exciting findings from current research projects will be explained and the significance of this research and its findings for society will be demonstrated. The events are open to all interested parties without registration and are free of charge.