Vulnerbro: Documenting the Tender Edges of Masculinit

Treena Orchard

This talk traces the emergence of Dr. Orchard‘s sexual and cultural interest in men as partners, figures to learn from, and fascinating literary fodder. Specifically, it unpacks the rhizomic connections about men and masculinity between her previous book about dating apps and what she is discovering about men, dating, and masculinity, as she gathers data for her new book called Vulnerbro. Using surveys, online interviews, and snail mail letters from far flung places like Ottawa and a correctional facility in California, it offers a tender analysis of how men are navigating gender, subjectivity, and who they are in our time of flaming culture wars hell bent on dividing us. Dr. Orchard also discusses the implications of these data as well as the research process more broadly for the public good, which is something she reflects on frequently as a public scholar.

SPEAKER PROFILE

Treena Orchard is an anthropologist, author, and activist in the School of Health Studies at Western University. Her internationally recognized qualitative and arts-based research explores sexuality, gender, and health among diverse cultural and digital communities. Published last year, her compelling memoir Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture & The Darker Side of Dating Apps was nominated for Book of the Year & People’s Choice Award by MindValley. She’s currently working on her next book that explores masculinity and vulnerability.