Friday 17 May 2019 | 1000-1700
Room GOR 124, Birkbeck, 43 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PD
As academic research increasingly turns its attention to experiences of gender beyond binary notions of male and female, this poses questions about how we understand and describe instances of gender nonconformity in the past. Many historians would argue against the existence of fixed or stable identities throughout history and argue in favour of using anachronistic terminology strategically to better convey the diversity of gender identities and gender expressions experienced by people in past societies. For students trying to navigate these questions and their implications in their research, this can be challenging terrain.
This workshop offers training for students in ways of researching, teaching and engaging the public in histories of gender nonconformity, non-binary and transgender experiences. The workshop will be relevant to historians of all periods and students working on gender and/or sexuality in literature and art history.
Working with leading historians, archivists and museum professionals, participants will address issues such as:
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Working with documentary and oral sources to research gender nonconformity in the past
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Developing techniques to recognise diverse and marginalised histories and work with sources sensitively
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The importance of developing diverse historical narratives around gender and communicating them to the public
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Advantages and challenges of co-production with marginalised communities
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Complexity of teaching non-binary and transgender histories to students who identify as cis, trans and non-binary
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Navigating historical research into trans and non-binary lives in the context of a divisive and fraught contemporary political terrain
In preparation for the workshop participants will be expected to read documentary sources and oral history transcripts which will be emailed in advance, plus any extracts from secondary sources selected by the session leaders.
Provisional Timetable
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Timings |
Session |
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10-10:30 |
Coffee and registration |
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10:30-11:30 |
Session One: Researching gender nonconformity in the past: documentary sources. Led by expert researcher: Dr Lucy Allen |
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11:30-12:30 |
Session Two: Researching gender nonconformity in the past: oral history. Led by expert researcher: Dr Amy Tooth Murphy (Royal Holloway)
Sessions One and Two are source-led practical research sessions. They will take the form of a 15 minute introductory talk by the researcher; 30 minutes for participants to work in groups on pre-circulated documents with guidance, 10 minutes plenary feedback. |
|
12:30-13:30 |
Lunch and informal networking |
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13:30- 15:00 |
Session Three: Public Engagement: Archives and Heritage
Presentations from archivists and museum professionals on how they approach histories of gender nonconformity, how they co-produce histories with marginalised communities, and present these histories to the public. Presentations followed by Q&A.Confirmed speakers: Steven Dryden (British Library), Dr Kit Heyam (V&A Museum/ University of Plymouth), Dr Catherine Armstrong (Loughborough University/ Trans Lives: East Mids) |
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15:00- 15:30 |
Afternoon break |
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15:30- 17:00 |
Session Four: Teaching Beyond the Binary
Round table discussion and Q&A on the complexities of teaching non-binary and transgender histories to cis, trans and non-binary students. Discussion points include reasons for diversifying the curriculum, tips and challenges.Confirmed participants: Dr Justin Bengry (Goldsmiths, University of London) , Dr Tracey Loughran (University of Essex), and Dr Rebecca Jennings (UCL) |
Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, and must be received by 6.00pm on Thursday 2 May 2019.
Confirmation of a place and further information, including readings, will be circulated shortly afterwards.
The workshop is co-ordinated by Dr Daisy Payling (University of Essex), and Dr Justin Bengry (Goldsmiths, University of London).
Travel bursaries may be available for non-funded students. Please contact Dr Daisy Payling at daisy.payling@essex.ac.uk for more details.
The workshop image of gender recognition pins from the XOXO Art and Technology Festival is used under Creative Commons Licensing.
