FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE PHILOSOPHERS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LGBTQIA+ MOVEMENTS IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Date: Saturday, February 7th, 2026
Location: Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK
Conference Language: English
Submission & Contact Email: [email protected]

About the Conference

This international one-day conference, held during LGBTQ+ History Month, will explore the relationship between French and Francophone philosophy and the development of LGBTQIA+ movements across the twentieth century. The intellectual contributions of figures such as Simone de Beauvoir, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, Monique Wittig, and Hélène Cixous profoundly shaped how we think about gender, sexuality, embodiment, and power. Their ideas crossed borders and disciplines, providing key foundations for feminist and queer theory, and influencing the strategies of activists, artists, and scholars.

The aim of this event is to bring together academic research, creative expression, and political engagement. In doing so, it highlights not only the philosophical underpinnings of queer thought but also the ways in which theory interacts with activism, performance, and literature. By situating these discussions during LGBTQ+ History Month, the conference celebrates both the intellectual history and the ongoing struggles of queer communities worldwide.

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Elliot Evans (University of Birmingham), a prolific scholar of French and Francophone thought and queer theory. Alongside Dr. Evans, we will welcome a second keynote speaker, the famous Moroccan LGBTQIA+ author and film director, (Dr.) Abdellah Taïa, each of whom will offer a different and complementary perspective.

Structure of the Day

The programme will combine keynote lectures and paper panels. Keynotes speakers will have forty-five minutes for their presentations followed by fifteen minutes of discussion. Paper presenters will deliver twenty-minute talks, arranged into paired panels with shared Q&A sessions. During the extended lunch break, students at all levels (BA, MA, MPhil, PhD, others) will present research posters. These will be entered into a competition, with a prize of £100 awarded to the best poster. Coffee breaks will be scheduled in the morning and afternoon to allow for networking, and the event will end with a conference dinner for those who wish to continue the conversation in a more informal setting.

Registration Fees

While we aim to offer the event free of charge, a small registration fee may be requested should we not be able to secure all necessary funding.

Contact

Please send all submissions and enquiries to: [email protected]