Lecture by Amelie Kolandt: "God's work and the devil's contribution? On the Christian fundamentalist influence on the provision of abortions in Germany"

22.01.25, 16-18 h, A01 0-006

The lecture will examine how Christian fundamentalist currents and conservative social attitudes influence the provision of abortions in Germany. Based on qualitative research involving 42 experts from the fields of medicine and counselling, key factors such as the general shortage of doctors, social stigmatisation and legal restrictions will be discussed.

A particular focus is placed on the levels of individual, institutional and socio-political influence exerted by Christian fundamentalists. The lecture will show how pressure on care providers and disinformation are making the care situation and working climate in the healthcare sector more difficult and what role alliances between Christian fundamentalism, radical conservatism and right-wing extremism play in this. A concluding outlook on future prospects for healthcare will outline the possible political and social consequences of these developments as well as possible strategies to strengthen reproductive rights and healthcare.

Short bio:

Amelie Kolandt studied musicology at the Humboldt University of Berlin and human medicine at the Charité. She has been working as a research assistant at the Institute of History of Medicine and Ethics in Medicine at Charité since 2022.

Prof. Dr Heinz-Jürgen Voß (Merseburg University of Applied Sciences): "Gender in biology and current social discussions", 01.07.2024 | 6-8 p.m. | V3 0-C002

We have to talk - also about biological gender (sex). This becomes clear with the current media debates. It has long been clear in biology that there are not only two forms of the genital tract, but that genitalia develop differently from person to person. However, this view has taken longer to become popular. Heinz-Jürgen Voß gives reasons for this, explains biological sex development and shows the pedagogical approaches that correctly represent the biological processes and are gradually arriving in schools.

Prof Dr Heinz-Jürgen Voß: Studied Diplom Biology in Dresden and Leipzig. Doctorate in 2010 on the social production of biological gender in Bremen. Professorship for Sexology and Sexual Education at Merseburg University of Applied Sciences since May 2014 and Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching since 2022.

This lecture is organised in co-operation with the FemRef (Autonomes Feministisches Referat) of the University of Oldenburg.

Poster as pdf

Lecture: Prof. Dr Christine^Bauhardt (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin⁾: "Societal relations to nature and queer ecologies" 05.07.2024 | 7-8 pm | A08 0-001

Queer ecologies analyse the domination-shaped human-environment relationships in terms of the underlying heteronormative order of bisexuality. The concept of queer ecologies describes the difficult balancing act between an emancipatory human-nature relationship that is not based on quasi-natural gender constructions and the recognition of the effectiveness of the material and symbolic gender hierarchy. The neologism "queer ecologies" goes hand in hand with a crossing of thought and expectation patterns that associate "ecology" with an ontological naturalness of the binary of gender and heteronormative desire.

Prof.ⁱⁿ Dr.ⁱⁿ Christine Bauhardt is a professor at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and heads the Department of Gender and Globalisation. She holds a doctorate in political science and a habilitation in the subject of theory and politics of spatial planning. Main research interests: Global environmental politics, feminist economic critique, feminist political ecology, queer ecologies.

The lecture is the keynote at the international garden workshop: "Re-reading the Garden: Queer Ecologies, Colonialism, Violence", 05-06 July 2024, Institute of Art and Visual Culture.

Poster as pdf

LECTURE: Prof. Dr MATHABO KHAU (Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa)
"Guilty by Birth! Womanhood, Motherhood and Femininity in South Africa"
27.06.2024 | 18-20 h | A14 1-103 (Lecture Hall 3)

Motherhood and womanhood stand in a complex and contradictory relationship with one another. Under patriarchy, mothers appear to have a mythological, mysterious and powerful status. Only women are granted this status, and it is one to which all women are expected to aspire. The reality of mothers' lives, however, often fails to match these aspirations. It is central to women's lives whether they become mothers, and this constrains their available choices. Becoming a mother often means economic dependence on another person or the state, and frequently reduces women's income. It affects relationships with men and other women, and changes occupational, domestic and sexual arrangements. Being a mother influences social and personal identity and has implications for women's health.

Given the importance of family relationships in most women's lives it is not surprising that the notion of family has occupied a central place in feminist theory and research. Various aspects of family life have been identified as crucial to an understanding of women's subordination. Feminists have emphasised male violence and men's control over women's sexuality and reproduction; others have looked at the economics of domestic labour and have discussed the contribution it makes to capitalism or the extent to which men benefit from it; still others have concentrated on the familial relationships which shape the construction of masculinity and femininity; many more have examined the state regulation of family life.

This lecture aims to discuss these contentious issues and present the major debates on the interrelationship between capitalism and patriarchy within the context of family to enable an understanding of the construction of womanhood, motherhood and femininity in South Africa.

Prof. Dr Mathabo Khau is an Associate Professor in Gender and Sexuality Studies in the Faculty of Education, Nelson Mandela University. Her research areas are Teacher Education, International and Higher Education, focusing on Gender and Sexuality Education, Social Justice in Education, Participatory Visual and Arts-based Methodologies, Ethics in research, and Research for Social Change.

The event will be held in English. Contributions to the discussion can be translated from German into English.

Poster as pdf

LECTURE
ANNIKA ARTMANN, B.A. (Ruhr University Bochum)
Prof.ⁱⁿ Dr.ⁱⁿ VÉRONIQUE SINA (Goethe University Frankfurt):
"Privileged or marginalised? Class issues and the concept of Jewish Whiteness"
12.06.2024 | 6-8 pm | A08 0-001

Despite the diversity of Jewish lifeworlds, normative ideas dominate the image of Jews in the discourse of society as a whole. Within the framework of these one-dimensional 'goy-normative' images, Jewish women are often imagined as white and privileged and excluded from intersectional discourses. When it comes to Jewish women, questions of gender, sexuality, race, class or even the multiple entanglements of different identity categories and the resulting discrimination rarely play a role. The lecture aims to explore this stereotypical entanglement of Jewishness with Whiteness and to demonstrate the relevance of the category of class and other structural categories for the concept of so-called Jewish Whiteness. Against the backdrop of Jewish Visual Culture Studies, not only representations of 'Jewishness' in relation to class attributions in US series and films will be examined. The extent to which (audio-)visual productions of Jewish Whiteness contribute to the current discussion about anti-Semitism after 7 October will also be explained.

Annika Artmann, B.A. (she/her) is studying Media Studies and Art History at the Ruhr University Bochum and works as a student assistant in the DFG research project "Queering Jewishness - Jewish Queerness. Discursive stagings of gender and 'Jewish difference' in (audio-)visual media" under the direction of Prof^.in Dr.ⁱⁿ Véronique Sina. In her Master's thesis, she is investigating the construct of Jewish Whiteness in US series and films.

Prof.ⁱⁿ Dr.ⁱⁿ Véronique Sina (she/her) is a research associate at the Institute for Theatre, Film and Media Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt, where she has been working on the DFG-funded research project "Queering Jewishness - Jewish Queerness. Discursive stagings of gender and 'Jewish difference' in (audio-)visual media". In the summer semester 2023, she held the professorship for Film Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt, before that she was a substitute professor for Media Studies with a focus on "Media Actors and Media Public Spheres with Special Consideration of Gender" at Ruhr University Bochum.

This lecture takes place in co-operation with the series of lectures: "Alles eine Frage der Klasse?! Intersectional and queer perspectives in art and visual cultural studies" at the Institute of Art and Visual Culture.

Poster as pdf

Lecture Dr^.in-Ing Dr.ⁱⁿ h.c. Corinna Bath (KoFo Netzwerk Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung NRW): "KI in intersectional perspective: Controversial practice of the present - livable and desirable futures", 14 May 2024 | 6-8 p.m. Senate meeting room (A14 1-111).

Since the publication of the chat program ChatGPT in autumn 2022, AI has aroused enormous media interest. While new potential applications are also being celebrated in the sciences, fears have been raised that AI will perpetuate social inequalities and discrimination. In her lecture, Bath will discuss what alternative technology designs could look like from the perspective of intersectional gender research and how they could be incorporated into corresponding ethical guidelines.

Dr.^in-Ing. Dr^.in h.c. Corinna Bath (Coordination and Research Centre of the Network Women's and Gender Studies NRW) is a mathematician, computer scientist and gender researcher; from 2012 to 2022 she held the Maria Goeppert-Mayer Professorship for Gender, Technology and Mobility; since then she has headed the Coordination and Research Centre of the Network Women's and Gender Studies NRW. For her "outstanding scientific achievements in the field of gender research and its integration in the technical sciences", she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Graz University of Technology in 2022.

Poster as pdf

Since the publication of the free chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly hot topic of discussion. It is changing academic work and research. What does this mean for degree programmes and the field of gender studies?

At the lunchtalk "Gender Studies and AI" on 24 April 2024, 16:00-18:00 c.t. in the ZFG (A03 1-117), we want to discuss the following questions, among others

- what risks does AI harbour for scientific work? From the non-transparent black box with potential misinformation to the crisis of traditional scientific methods and critical thinking

- What opportunities does AI offer for the accessibility of university work? From facilitated research and inspiration for writer's block to potential use as an accessible teaching/learning tool in seminars

- What could be researched from a critical gender studies perspective? E.g. the (re)production of discriminatory biases by algorithms and the interaction with users.

- How can AI technologies support gender research?

Mo Haldenwang (no pronouns, tutorial on academic work in gender studies) will provide insights into examples of the use of AI. Pia Schlechter (she/they, ZFG) will briefly present the university's AI programmes.

We would like to invite all Gender Studies teachers, students and interested parties to an exchange. A short registration via is requested.

The Lunchtalk* is part of the event series "Wo Gender brennt. Current Relevance of Gender Studies in Science, Culture and Society" of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Oldenburg under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Katharina Al-Shamery, Vice President for Academic Career Paths, Equal Opportunities and International Affairs.

Poster as pdf

Roundtable: "Responsibility in Gender and Queer Studies"
24.06.2023 | 16:30-18:00 Room A01 0-010a

PUMLA DINEO GQOLA (NMU), MATHABO KHAU (NMU), NAMUPA SHIVUTE (journalist), DEBORAH NYANGULU (University of Bremen), KARIN ESDERS (University of Bremen), Moderation: KÜBRA GÜMÜŞAY (Hamburg, writer, pol. scientist)

The event is part of the series "Where gender burns. Current relevance of gender studies in science, culture and society" of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Women's and Gender Studies (ZFG) at the University of Oldenburg under the patronage of Prof. Dr Annett Thiele, Vice President for Early Career Researchers and Equal Opportunities

SHORT FILMS AND DISCUSSION at cine k (Bahnhofsstraße 11): "Building Lives in the Context of Forced Migration"
11.06.2023, 3:00 pm

guest: KOLLEKTIV POLYLOG

Three Syrian women and two Nigerian refugee students from Ukraine will present short films about the lives of refugees in Berlin. These were created in 2022 in close collaboration between the Polylog collective, the Tubman Network Berlin and the participants of a film seminar at Freie Universität Berlin. After the presentation of the short films, we will discuss how empowerment of refugees can be achieved and what pitfalls need to be overcome, especially in the case of co-operation. The event will be held in Arabic, English and German. In co-operation with cine k, Radio Globale, City Friendship Oldenburg Afrin, Autonomous Feminist Department University of Oldenburg

Part of the event series "Colonial Continuities" at cine k

The event is part of the series "Where gender burns. Current relevance of gender studies in science, culture and society" of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Women's and Gender Studies (ZFG) at the University of Oldenburg under the patronage of Prof. Dr Annett Thiele, Vice President for Young Academics and Equal Opportunities.

Public Reading/ Public Reading

18.05.2022 | 18:30 | BIS-Saal

PROF. DR. PURNA BANERJEE (Kolkata/ India)
In co-operation with | In co-operation with
DR. LYDIA POTTS (Oldenburg)

"Searching for Maud: Tracing her Feminism, Activism and Cosmopolitanism in Carl von Ossietzky's Public (After)Life /
Searching for Maud: Tracing her Feminism, Activism and Cosmopolitanism in Carl von Ossietzky's Public (After)Life"

Maud Hester von Ossietzky (née Lichfield-Woods), born in Hyderabad (former British India), is an enigmatic figure. The evaluation of her autobiography oscillates between 'admittedly unrealiable' and 'charming and straightforward', she is depicted as a depressed alcoholic whose nagging demands have led to Carl's arrest or as the supportive wife and socialite who got behind his causes. But she might also be considered as an example for 'women are everywhere in the colonial archive' with a complex history on her own.

Purna Banerjee is Professor of English at Presidency University in Kolkata, India. She is a literary scholar, focusing on postcolonial Anglophone literature and literature by women. | Purna Banerjee is Professor of English at Presidency University in Kolkata, India. She is a literary scholar, focussing on postcolonial Anglophone literature and literature by women.

Presentation and discussion will be in English and in German. | Presentation and discussion will be in English and in German.

Part of the International Conference | Part of the international conference
"Local Answers to Global Transitions: Challenges to Women's and Gender Studies in Plurilocal Perspectives" Celebrating 20 Years of the Centre for interdisciplinary Women's and Gender Studies (ZFG), 19-21 May 2022, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.

The event is part of the series "Where Gender Burns" of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Women's and Gender Studies (ZFG) at the University of Oldenburg.

Download poster pdf

Gender is a central element of all societies - and yet it was not researched from a social and cultural science perspective until quite late. The ZFG at the University of Oldenburg played a pioneering role in the establishment of gender studies: It was the first centre of its kind in Lower Saxony and one of the first in Germany to open on 17 May 2001 and has since made a significant contribution to enriching the research landscape.

Since its foundation, the ZFG has repeatedly tested and implemented the guidelines of inter- and transdisciplinary as well as transnational and transcultural perspectives. This includes research projects within a regional, national and European framework, but also beyond: from the very beginning, the ZFG has had an extremely international orientation. It maintains a wide range of co-operations with research institutions in India and African countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Sudan and Uganda. Special attention is also paid to the promotion of young academics in the field of gender studies/queer studies, for example through graduate programmes or the annual Gender Research Day. Another component of the ZFG's work is supporting the existing degree programmes in Gender Studies and Queer Studies and, in particular, the close interlinking of research and teaching for the research-oriented design of the BA Gender Studies.

Twenty professors, academic staff and scholarship holders were involved in the founding process, supported by the then Women's Equality Office, the University Executive Board and the University Senate. At the inauguration, Ministerial Official Dr Barbara Hartung praised the courage to innovate in terms of university policy, which gave the 30-year tradition of women's and gender studies in Oldenburg a central point of contact. The co-operation between research and teaching with the two degree programmes already established in 1997 - the Magister minor in Women's and Gender Studies and Cultural Gender Studies as a postgraduate course, and later as a doctoral degree programme - the first degree programmes in Germany, together with the HU Berlin - could now be further intensified.

In the founding years - eight of them under the leadership of the recently deceased Professor Heike Fleßner - the programme focused on research in the social and educational sciences and laid important foundations for academic co-operation. In addition to numerous international visiting professorships, funded by the Maria Goeppert Mayer Programme of the MWK, a junior professorship for Gender, Biotechnologies and Society was also filled from 2003 to 2009, although this was not made permanent

Since 2009, the centre has been based at School III - School of Linguistics and Cultural Studies, where it has developed its cultural studies profile under the leadership of Professors Silke Wenk, Barbara Paul and Melanie Unseld. The research clusters Knowledge/Institution/Memory and Transculturality/Migrations offer numerous points of contact for other disciplines and projects, even beyond cultural studies in the narrower sense, due to their basic research in scientific theory.

Research findings are communicated to the interested public through the successful event series "Where Gender Burns: Current Relevance of Gender Studies in Science, Culture and Society" (under the patronage of Vice President Prof A. Thiele), which has been running since 2017, as well as in two publication series. Among other things, the following questions were addressed: How can gender and sexual diversity be lived and taught? Is the recognition of queer lifestyles a Western phenomenon or can it also be found in India? What impact do digitalisation and artificial intelligence have on the selection of gender when filling jobs? What role did women's movements play in the Arab Spring?

The work of the ZFG shows that the need for a central contact and coordination centre for the interdisciplinary field of gender and queer research is more important than ever, because all too often these concerns fall outside the disciplinary grid.

In order to celebrate this extraordinary anniversary in a fitting manner, further intensify co-operations and establish new ones, the ZFG is organising an international conference in May 2022 entitled Local Answers to Global Transitions - Challenges to Women*'s and Gender Studies in Plurilocal Perspectives. This anniversary conference - postponed by one year due to coronavirus - also commemorates the founding conference in 2001 "Societies in Transition - Challenges to Women's and Gender Studies", which established a wide range of national and international research relationships that still characterise the ZFG today.

16 January 2019, 12:00 - 14:00 in the ZFG (A03 1-117)

Generations of gender studies: Do the feminist wheels always have to be reinvented?
On the occasion of the anniversaries of "100 years of women's suffrage" and "50 years of the autonomous women's movement", we want to take a look at older theoretical texts in women's and gender studies under the question "Do feminist wheels always have to be reinvented?". Are the themes of the first and second women's movements outdated today or do they need to be brought back to the fore, adapted to today's conditions? Can we still talk about the "mysterious male ghetto of the university" (Modelmog 1983) today and what do we think about turning "science into a passion" (ibid.)? What are the indispensable core topics? Where are there gaps?

Dear Gender Studies teachers, students and interested parties, we would like to invite you to a convivial exchange over coffee and biscuits. Excerpts from your favourite texts in queerfeminist fields or women's and gender studies are welcome!