Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Speaker Series
Through lectures, presentations, debates, round-tables, and formal and informal dialogues, the WGSS Speaker Series aims at providing an academic forum where conversations on WGSS-related topics can be held in a spirit of open inquiry and intellectual curiosity, with a sense of mutual respect and appreciation, and from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
The WGSS Speaker Series offers participants an opportunity to:
- discuss topics, figures, and practices that address WGSS-related issues and concerns across times, places, cultures, and fields of study, work, and experiences;
- present scholarly work and research (in progress or already completed) that intersect WGSS-related topics across a variety of fields of study and professions;
- raise questions about a wide range of social problems and matters, especially those having to do with social and gender justice, equality, equity, and the elimination of structures of oppression;
- help educate ourselves toward building societies and communities wherein all ways of living can flourish.
Through lectures, presentations, debates, round-tables, and formal and informal dialogues, the WGS Speaker Series aims at providing an academic forum where conversations on WGS-related topics can be held in a spirit of open inquiry and intellectual curiosity, with a sense of mutual respect and appreciation, and from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
The WGS Speaker Series offers participants an opportunity to:
- discuss topics, figures, and practices that address WGS-related issues and concerns across times, places, cultures, and fields of study, work, and experiences;
- present scholarly work and research (in progress or already completed) that intersect WGS-related topics across a variety of fields of study and professions;
- raise questions about a wide range of social problems and matters, especially those having to do with social and gender justice, equality, equity, and the elimination of structures of oppression;
- help educate ourselves toward building societies and communities wherein all ways of living can flourish.
Past Speakers
![Headshot of Tina Chapman DaCosta.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Tina.jpg)
Tina Chapman DaCosta
Founder and Director of Diversity Theater, Division of Diversity and Inclusion, Rochester Institute of Technology
WOMEN WHO ADVOCATE FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND INCLUSION
April 1, 2024
![Headshot of Yamuna Sangarasivam.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Yamuna.jpg)
Yamuna Sangarasivam
Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Women and Gender Studies Program, Nazareth University
GENDERED COLONIAL SUBJECTIVITIES AND THE CRISIS OF HUMANISM
November 28, 2023
![Shahin Monshipour and Ling Ma sitting at a table during a discussion.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Iran-China.jpg)
Panel
STANDING TOGETHER: PATTERNS OF RESISTANCE IN CHINA AND IRAN
March 8, 2023
Participants: Ling Ma, Department of History, SUNY Geneseo; Shahin Monshipour, International Culture and Arts Network, Founder
![Headshot of Milo Obourn.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Milo-Oburn.jpg)
Milo Obourn
Professor of English and Professor and Chair of Women & Gender Studies, SUNY Brockport
WHAT’S SO FUNNY ABOUT TRANS JUSTICE?
February 9, 2023
![Headshot of Charles Peterson.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Petersen.jpg)
Charles Petersen
Klarman Postdoctoral Fellow, History Department and Cornell Society of Fellows, Cornell University
GENEALOGY OF THE TECHBRO
November 2, 2022
![Protesters holding a sign that reads Reproductive rights are human rights.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Rep%20rights.jpg)
Roundtable
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, WOMEN’S RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS
October 18, 2022
Participants: Suzanne Bamonto (RIT, Department of Psychology); Deborah Blizzard (RIT, Department of Science, Technology, Society); Tamar Carroll (RIT, Department of History); Lauren Hall (RIT, Department of Political Science); Kelly Kamish (RIT, Campus Life—Women and Gender); Irina Mikhalevich (RIT, Department of Philosophy); Lisa Nolan(Willow Domestic Violence Center); Tiffany L. Panko (RIT, NTID Research Center on Culture and Language); Lindsay Phillips (RIT, Student Health Center).
![Headshot of bell hooks.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Bell-hooks.jpg)
RIT Roundtable—Honoring bell hooks through Reflections and Stories
VISIONARY WORDS: LOVE, JUSTICE, AND FREEDOM
March 25, 2022
Participants: Ann Howard (Department of STS), Nickesia Gordon (School of Communication), Jennifer Kamish (Academic Advising, KGCOE), Katrina Overby (School of Communication), Adam Rosen-Carole (Department of Philosophy/WGSS Program), Laura Shackelford (Department of English/CES), Taj Smith (Division of Diversity and Inclusion/WGSS Program), RIT students.
![Headshot of M. Nicole Horsley.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Horsley-M-Nicole-Headshot.jpg)
M. Nicole Horsley
Assistant Professor, Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity, Ithaca College
AFTERTASTE: WHOSE THROAT IS THIS? TO THE AFTERLIFE OF GLORIA, A MEDITATION ON TASTE, PLEASURE, AND PEDAGOGY
March 25, 2022
![Headshot of Sarah LaChance Adams.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/lachance.jpg)
Sarah LaChance Adams
Florida Blue Distinguished Professor, Director of the Florida Blue Center for Ethics University of Northern Florida
THE CRUEL OPTIMISM OF PICKUP ARTISTS: GENDER AND AGENCY IN SEDUCTION
February 18, 2022 (virtual)
![Headshot of Lauren Hall.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Hall_0.jpg)
Lauren Hall
Associate Professor of Political Science, RIT
BIRTH, MEDICALIZATION, AND THE POLITICS OF A PANDEMIC
March 25, 2021 (virtual)
![Jennifer Foley.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Foley.jpg)
Jennifer Foley
Deputy Director for Collections and Engagement, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
THE ARTS OF ENGAGEMENT: CONNECTING WITH MUSEUM VISITORS
March 16, 2021 (virtual)
![Mariana Ortega.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Ortega.jpg)
Mariana Ortega
Associate Professor of Philosophy and of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Penn State University
TO(O) QUEER THE ARTIST: AN AESTHETICS OF SELF-MAKING
February 25, 2021 (virtual)
![Robin Mitchell.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Mitchell.png)
Robin Mitchell
Associate Professor of History, California State University—Channel Islands
VÉNUS NOIRE: BLACK WOMEN AND COLONIAL FANTASIES IN 19TH-CENTURY FRANCE—A CONVERSATION WITH THE AUTHOR
February 9, 2021 (virtual)
![Devonya Havis holding a sign.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Havis.jpg)
Devonya Havis
Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Canisius College
PRACTICES OF FREEDOM UNDER CONDITIONS OF UNFREEDOM: ARTS OF REFUSAL
November 9, 2020
![Melissa Autumn White headshot.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/white.jpg)
Melissa Autumn White
Assistant Professor, Critical Sexuality and Queer Studies, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
SPONSORED QUEER MIGRATION IN AN AGE OF APARTHEID
October 26, 2020
![Nathan R. Lee headshot.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Lee.jpg)
Nathan R. Lee
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Policy, RIT
THE NATIONAL GENDER GAP IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES: A NEW DATA INITIATIVE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE
October 5, 2020
![Jennifer Foley headshot.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/foley.jpg)
Jennifer Foley
Director of Education and Community Engagement, Albright-Knox Art Gallery
THE ART OF ENGAGEMENT: CONNECTING WITH MUSEUM VISITORS
April 9, 2020—Postponed due to Covid-19
![Stacy Knapper headshot.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/knapper.jpg)
Stacy Nation-Knapper
Director, Year One Programs, RIT
“SHE WAS OF MIXED BLOOD, FAR ABOVE THE AVERAGE”: EXPLORING NARRATIVES OF FUR TRADE FAMILY IDENTITIES
March 24, 2020—Postponed due to Covid-19
![Deirdre Schlehofer headshot.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/schlehofer.jpg)
Deirdre Schlehofer
Associate Professor, Department of Cultural & Creative Studies, NTID, RIT
DISENTANGLING THE MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF DEAF WOMEN IN THE DEAF PRESIDENT NOW! MOVEMENT
February 20, 2020
![Laura Finley headshot.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/lfinley_0.jpg)
Laura Finley
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology, Barry College
CREATING CAMPUS-COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS TO EDUCATE ABOUT DATING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
October 17, 2019
![Lara Freidenfels headshot.](/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/inline-images/Lara-Freidenfels.jpg)
Lara Freidenfelds
Independent Scholar
MAKING BABIES, MAKING MISCARRIAGES: ULTRASOUND, HOME PREGNANCY TESTING, AND EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS
October 7, 2019
Margaret Bailey
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Interim Director of Advance RIT, RIT
LESSONS LEARNED IN MANAGING CHANGE & TRANSFORMATION AT RIT: A GENDER EQUITY FOCUS
March 25, 2019