I am delighted to announce to you all that I have decided to organise a conference about menstruation in the media. As the menstruation research network has not been able to meet for a long time, I thought that I would use my Leverhulme funding to organise an event for the menstruation research network and for other scholars, advocates and artists. I was delighted when Lottie Rhodes agreed to co-organise the conference. I am thrilled to give opportunities to more junior colleagues and I was pleased to have someone to share the experience. And thanks also to Camilla Rostvik for her advice!
I am thrilled that Annika Waheed, who is a fantastic advocate for PMDD and a very engaging lecturer, has agreed to be the keynote. I met Annika (virtually) this year whilst interviewing activists for my next book. You can follow her on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/veni.vidi.vincens.vitae/
I really hope that the conference will happen face to face, because we all miss meeting new people and networking. But, I am being realistic that we may need to move it online. In any case, I am sure it will be a fantastic event.
I have pasted the CfP below.
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Calling researchers, advocates, and artists!
In collaboration with the Menstruation Research Network, this one-day event at the University of Sheffield will focus on media narratives about menstruation and related topics. It will bring together researchers in the fields of journalism and media studies, individual advocates, and representatives from NGOs. The event will take place at the University of Sheffield on 22nd October 2021, but this will be changed to an online format if necessary.
We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker will be Annika Waheed. Annika is a non-clinical lecturer for Barts Health Trust in London and suffers from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, a condition that she describes as ‘PMS’s woefully misunderstood Satanic sibling’. She advocates, educates, and raises awareness via her Instagram page on which she candidly records her journey living with PMDD.
The day will also include 15-minute papers and workshops. Papers/ workshop sessions are free to explore any type of media (such as blogs, zines, podcasts, apps, websites, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, newspapers, magazines, radio, cinema).
Topics could include (but are not limited to) the following mediatised aspects of menstrual experience:
Menstrual inequalities
Period Poverty
Menstrual Stigma
Menstrual products
The Environment (such as the impact of plastic products)
Transgender and non-binary identities
Intersectionality
Ethnic minority groups
Menstrual health (such as PMDD or endometriosis)
Education (such as in schools)
Menopause
If you would like to propose either a 15-minute presentation or a 45-minute workshop, please submit an abstract/ summary of up to 300 words along with a brief bio to the organisers Dr. Maria Tomlinson at maria.tomlinson@sheffield.ac.uk and Lottie Rhodes at C.Rhodes2@newcastle.ac.uk. The submission deadline is Friday 4th June.
There is a limited amount of funding available for travel expenses for speakers/ workshop leaders (within the UK) who are students, ECRs, or unemployed. The event is supported by the Leverhulme Trust and will be free to attend.