Women’s Studies Hosts Third Annual Research Day at Trent University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free Public Event Includes a Feminist Interpretation of
Gunter van Hagen’s Body Worlds II Exhibit

Monday, March 5, 2007, Peterborough

Trent University’s Women’s Studies department will be hosting the third annual “Research Day” event on Wednesday, March 7 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Lady Eaton College Senior Common Room.

Professors, associated community researchers and upper year students will present their new scholarship looking at women’s experiences from the perspectives of many different disciplines, including history, politics and sociology. Women's Studies explores gender relations and women's lives throughout history, across cultural, religious, political and economic divides, and in every site of human interaction.

Anatomist Gunter van Hagen’s shocking display of real human bodies circulating major North American museums and galleries will be the subject of Professor Elaine Stavro’s presentation entitled “Sexist Science: Body Worlds II Exhibit”. Her analysis will reveal the white, heteronormative ideal behind the assumed objectivity of his medical knowledge.

Another highlight during the event will be the announcement of the 2007 Soroptimist Women’s Studies Award Winner. This award is presented to an outstanding student in women’s studies heading into their last undergraduate year of study.

Members of the Trent community and general public are invited to attend this free event. A reception with appetizers and cash bar will follow in the Lady Eaton College Senior Common Room.

A complete itinerary is as follows:

2:00 - 2:10 p.m. Welcome and Announcement of the 2007 Winner of the Soroptimist Women’s Studies Award

2:10 - 2:40 p.m. Bridging Creativity and Theory
Students Anu Radha Verma and Kambili Husbands

2:40 - 3:05 p.m. Immigrant Women's Pathways to Activism
Professor Jane Ku, Women’s Studies department

3:05 - 3:30 p.m. From Zero Tolerance to Restorative Justice: Locating Aboriginal Women’s Experiences of Gendered Violence
Professor Gillian Balfour, Sociology department

3:30 - 3:50 p.m. Break

3:50 - 4:15 p.m. 'I do not dare to think of home:' Politics, Masculinity and Family in Canada's Confederation Era
Professor Carmen Varty, History department

4:15 - 4:50 p.m. Sexist Science- Body Worlds II Exhibit
Professor Elaine Stavro, Politics department

4:50 - 5:30 p.m. Envisioning New Meanings of Disability and Difference: Ethical Challenges of Arts-Based Interventions
Professor Carla Rice, Women’s Studies, Lorna Renooy, Project
Manager of Envisioning New Meanings of Disability and
Difference, and Joëlle Favreau Community Development
Coordinator, YWCA of Peterborough, Victoria and Haliburton

Media are invited and encouraged to attend this event. Lady Eaton College is located on the Symons Campus at 1755 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario.

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For further information, please contact:
Associate Professor Margaret Hobbs, chair, Women’s Studies department
(705) 748-1011, ext. 1515