Conference program

4-5 June 2018.

University of Bologna, Italy.

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.