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.

Tamar and Silvia sitting on a bench.

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 Margaret Bailey.

Dr. Margaret Bailey

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology
ON BEING A WOMAN IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: STEMINIST PERSPECTIVES
April 9, 2024

Headshot of Tina Chapman DaCosta.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lauren Hall

Associate Professor of Political Science, RIT
BIRTH, MEDICALIZATION, AND THE POLITICS OF A PANDEMIC
March 25, 2021 (virtual)

Jennifer Foley.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lara Freidenfelds

Independent Scholar
MAKING BABIES, MAKING MISCARRIAGES: ULTRASOUND, HOME PREGNANCY TESTING, AND EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS
October 7, 2019

Margaret Bailey headshot.

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