CFP: Embodiment from Then to Now: Perspectives on Sex and Gender

CFP: Embodiment from Then to Now: Perspectives on Sex and Gender

2023 Boston College Philosophy Graduate Student Conference

The Philosophy Department at Boston College invites submissions for its yearly graduate student conference, Embodiment from Then to Now: Perspectives on Sex and Gender. 

Keynote Speakers:

Christina Van Dyke, Barnard College at Columbia University, Calvin College (Professor Emerita)
Amy Hollywood, Harvard Divinity School

Contemporary philosophy and science have moved away from a mechanistic conception of the body and instead toward a more embodied way of thinking the self; bodies are no longer something we have but something we are. Embodiment, therefore, opens up a distinct perspective on questions of sex and gender that we hope to explore by facilitating a pluralistic and interdisciplinary conversation that aims to bring together research across the humanities. Historically, traditional cosmologies tended to cement sexual difference as a foundational principle, while modernity has de-sexualized the cosmos; given these complex movements, making sense of the significance of the sexed body remains an enduring puzzle. 

This conference intends to bring into conversation historical and contemporary perspectives on embodiment and sexual difference, particularly as it relates to the way in which these different approaches can inform a phenomenological view of sex and gender today. We are looking for papers that view the history of western philosophy through the lens of embodiment and as well as papers which address insights from the history of philosophy to contemporary phenomenological research. This includes, but is not limited to, papers on ancient and medieval perspectives on the body and reproduction, medieval and early modern women’s philosophy, phenomenological engagements with the history of philosophy, and research programs informed by relevant related disciplines (psychoanalysis, classics, gender studies, etc.). We are particularly interested in papers on marginalized figures in the history of philosophy as it relates to this topic.

Applicants should submit an anonymized abstract of 350-500 words to the conference organizers [email protected] and [email protected], with 3-6 keywords in PDF or docx format. Participants should expect 20 minutes to present, followed by a shared Q&A session. Within the body of the email, please include the following information:

• Your name
• Email
• Paper Title
• Institutional Affiliation

Submissions by graduate students and early career scholars in philosophy and related disciplines are welcome; we especially encourage submissions from members of historically underrepresented groups. 

Submissions are due by January 31, 2023. Each submission will be anonymously reviewed by conference committee members and applicants will be notified by February 17, 2023.

The conference will be held in Chestnut Hill, MA on March 24 and 25, 2023. The conference is expected to be held in person and will follow university guidelines in regards to masking and other public health measures. 

For questions and other inquiries, please contact the conference organizers, Anna Boessenkool ([email protected]) and Max Wade ([email protected]).