This symposium aims to bring together researchers across the disciplines to address some key current questions and explore ways of researching and thinking about sex and intimacy. There is much exciting research and thinking currently in this area nationally. Indeed there has been a recent proliferation of research and publication spanning such diverse areas as mediated intimacies, mapping intimacies, asexuality and intimacy, enduring love, liquid love, intimacy and living alone, living apart together, seduction communities, cross-national intimacies, intimacy landscapes, intimate citizenship, sexual citizenship, plastic sexuality, sexualisation, sex work, sex and material culture. There is much scope for interdisciplinary thinking and researching from a range of disciplines including Sociology, Cultural studies, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Politics, Law, International development, Education, Psychology and beyond. It is anticipated that future networking and opportunities for collaboration will arise from this event.

Confirmed speakers include Professor Andrea Cornwall, University of Sussex and Dr Meg Barker, Open University.

Peers and colleagues at all levels (from doctoral researchers to senior academics) are invited to share their research-in-progress or completed research and reflections on this topic. Papers will be either 10 minutes (with 5 minutes for discussion) or 30 minutes (with 10 minutes for discussion).

Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and returned to Charlotte Morris by 30^th May at cam40@sussex.ac.uk

Questions:

How do we define sex in relation to intimacy and vice versa?

In what ways do sex and intimacy diverge and or overlap?

What theoretical and methodological frameworks enable us to effectively research sex and intimacy in contemporary life? Are new frameworks needed?

In what ways are sex and intimacy represented, conceptualised and practiced?

Are there any ways in which understandings and practices of sex and intimacy can be said to have changed in recent times and if so, to what extent?

How do intersecting identities influence understandings and practices of sex and intimacy?

If you'd like to attend, please click here to register.

This event is organised by University of Sussex researchers and supported by the Doctoral School’s Researcher led initiative fund.

By: Laura Arnold
Last updated: Thursday, 5 June 2014