Conference Objectives

The "Gender Cultures" conference, to be held on Oct. 23 and 24 in 146 Hall, aims to provide an important platform for reflection and discussion on "gender" as a universal, invisible but powerful organizing tool in daily life, family, education, work, and sports. An inescapable theme that runs through and structures the entire society, defining its current form, but also its evolution and future direction.

The goal is to explore diversity and inclusion, recognizing the importance of accommodating and valuing the multiple expressions and declinations of the concept of gender. Through an approach that not only enriches the social fabric, but also helps challenge stereotypes and prejudices that limit full individual and collective fulfillment.

This conference aims to be an opportunity to raise awareness of gender issues, addressing the discrimination and violence that often accompany them, through open dialogue and constructive confrontation. Indeed, it is crucial today to understand how the integration of gender perspectives can lead to the overcoming of outdated and discriminatory cultural norms and to a freer and more authentic society.

This is an important opportunity to reflect on the role of meding or counteracting gender distinctions and discrimination, highlighting the need for a critical and conscious approach to the representation and interpretation of gender identities in contemporary society

The interdisciplinary approach of the conference also allows for the exploration of the complex intersections between gender, social class, ethnicity and other dimensions of human identity, thus enriching our understanding of the world around us and the people who inhabit it. The conference will provide an opportunity for scholars from various academic disciplines, including literary, sociological, philosophical and economic disciplines, to meet and exchange ideas. This diversity of perspectives will enrich the discussion and provide an overview of the many challenges and opportunities related to gender studies.

The morning plenary session will feature talks by distinguished experts in the field, including Maura Gancitano, Elisa Giomi, Marco Scarcelli and Marilisa D'Amico. These prominent figures will share their perspectives and research, offering a comprehensive overview of the key issues under discussion.

From mid-morning and into the afternoon, the conference will be divided into a series of parallel panels devoted to different disciplines. Through these workshops, scholar(s) and researcher(s) will have the opportunity to explore specific issues and discuss research methodologies and approaches. Topics ranging from literary analysis, media studies, feminist philosophy, economics, the arts, and equal rights will be covered.

This structure will allow for immersion in a variety of topics and interaction with colleagues from different areas of study. The Gender Cultures conference thus aims to be not only a time for reflection and insight, but also for connection and collaboration among scholars and activists engaged in the exploration of the many facets of gender studies.

Program Schedule

Themes

We invite contributions that address but are not limited to the following themes:

• 1. Gender, consumption and advertising.
• 2. Gender and digital media. Imaginaries, relations, discourses and practices.
• 3. Bridging the gender gap with multidisciplinarity: law, statistics and pedagogy.
• 4. Gender in the perspective of strategic diversity management in organisations. The CERC experience.
• 5. The representation of gender in TV series.
• 6. ‘The others’ are us. Contemporary art and possible worlds.
• 7. Representations and constructions of gender identities in the platform society.
• 8. Cinema and gender studies: proposals for research, analysis and teaching practice.
• 9. Victims and mutes. Figures of silencing and violence from antiquity to the contemporary
• 10. An intersectional approach to the analysis of print and digital media
• 11. Social dynamics, consumption and gender: from traditional research to neuroscientific innovations
• 12. Gender and heritage: enhancing communities and territories in the age of innovation
• 13. Gendered Music: productive, creative and cultural construction aspects
• 14. The gender of innovation.
• 15. Navigating the crisis of masculinity. Challenges, opportunities and strategies for change
• 16. Gender(s) in Communication: Emerging and Senior Scholars in Dialogue

Keynote Speakers

Venue

Past Conferences

Organiser

Organizing Committee

• Maria Angela Polesana (E-mail: mariangela.polesana@iulm.it)
• Elisabetta Risi (E-mail: elisabetta.risi@iulm.it)
• Anna Manzato
• Emma Zavarrone
• Denis Šimunović (E-mail: denis.simunovic@studenti.iulm.it)
• Matteo Anichini
• Luisa Damiano

Publication Partner

Panels

1. Gender, consumption and advertising

Gender, as Judith Butler argues, is performative, that is to say that it is constructed through words and actions, in which the consumption practices with which (thanks to their symbolic-cultural dimensions) individuals express their identities, their belongings and their universe of values. This is the so-called extended self (Belk 1988) constituted through objects and consumer experiences that help individuals to better define themselves and their social surroundings. Consumption practices that today are loaded with a multiplicity of meanings, intertwining in an increasingly detailed manner with gender issues. They can be both an expression of adherence to a specific gender identity, but also become a "tactic" (De Certeau, 1980) with which to resist the dominant culture. Advertising is a form of communication that plays a role of primary importance in the construction of social reality. A true "cultural form", that is, a set of discourses (Codeluppi, 2021) that circulate in society providing individuals with models of behavior to follow in daily life, as well as meanings for their existence, their social identity, the world in which they live. A short, often stereotypical form of communication, which is not only an expression of traditional gender roles, but also a vehicle for new gender representations in campaigns that today mark the emergence of those phenomena known as femvertising and dadvertising: narratives that should encourage, in the first case, the affirmation of female empowerment, while in the second case free men from stereotypical conceptions of virility. A position taken by the brands that is not without ambiguity: on the one hand, that is, a manifestation of woke capitalism and on the other, an expression of a commitment towards a gradual decolonization of the imagination in the direction of a new gender awareness. Which today also contributes to new forms of advertising such as those conveyed by influencers and creators who are no less complex and ambiguous.

Keywords: Corpo, Self-branding, Femvertising, Dadvertising, Influencer, Creator, Marca

Moderator: Maria Angela Polesana, IULM University, Milan

Interventions by:

• Vanni Codeluppi (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) - Hyperadvertising: the role of the stereotype
• Giuseppe Mazza (IULM University) - Stereotypes and evolution of the couple in advertising
• Guido Cornara (IULM University) - Gender washing: perimeter, definitions and implications
• Geraldina Roberti (La Sapienza University of Rome) - The role of influencers in advertising, between stereotypes and innovation
• Piergiorgio Degli Espositi (University of Bologna)

2. Genre and digital media. Imaginaries, relationships, discourses and practices

The panel explores different aspects, dimensions and direction of influence of the relationship between gender and digital media, «where neither gender nor technology is taken to be preexisting, nor is the relationship between them immutable» (Van Doorn and Van Zoonen, 2009: 260) . In particular, the results of four research studies on the topic are presented. The first, the PRIN 2022 Di.G.I.T, explores the use of digital media among Italian adolescents for the (re)definition and understanding of gender and intimacy. The second, the PRIN PNRR 2022 GIVRE, investigates digital gender violence and the related resilience and empowerment practices of internet users. The third concerns the role of smart speakers in families with children under eight years of age, in the production of relationships, imaginaries and gender discourses associated with both parenting and technology. The latest, the PRIN PNRR 2022 IMAGES, explores inclusiveness and accessibility of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, using a dataset of works of art as a tool to mitigate gender and ethnic biases and promote sensitivity towards gender equity and awareness for cultural diversity.

Keywords: Gender, Digital media, Inclusiveness, Empowerment, Violence

Interventions by:

• Marco Cosimo Scarcelli and Vittoria Bernardini (University of Padua) - Digital practices, Gender, and Intimacy in Teens' everyday life
• Francesca Comunello and Lorenza Parisi (Sapienza, University of Rome and Link University) - Gendering Internet Violence Resilience Empowerment in digital space
• Giovanna Mascheroni and Arianna Mainardi (Catholic University of Milan and University of Bergamo) -“Between ruptures and continuity; building the genre through the relationship with smart speakers”
• Paola Panarese and Vittoria Azzarita (Sapienza, University of Rome) – “IMAGES, Inclusive Machine learning system using Art and culture for tackling Gender and Ethnicity Stereotypes”

Moderator: Paola Panarese, LA Sapienza University, Rome

Gender statistics are powerful tools for providing detailed analysis of inequalities and experiences of violence, crucial for more equitable and inclusive policies. However, the quality and accuracy of the data raises critical issues, including accessibility, timeliness and relevance. Critical data analysis reveals how socio-cultural preconceptions can influence collection and interpretation procedures, reducing the visibility of the experiences of some categories of victims, such as non-binary and transgender people. Law is a fundamental area in the fight against gender violence and in promoting equality, addressing a global phenomenon that affects women and LGBTQ+ people in multiple forms. The effectiveness of laws depends on their concrete implementation and on the training of professionals in the legal sector. The collection and analysis of data on gender violence are essential to monitor the effectiveness of policies and develop intervention and prevention strategies. However, data quality is often compromised by socio-cultural biases. This panel will explore the dual role of data on gender violence: as a tool for measuring the phenomenon and as a superstructure influenced by stereotypes and prejudices. It will discuss the importance of correct data collection, processing and interpretation procedures, and of methodological approaches capable of recognizing and addressing gender bias. We will examine the role of data in measuring and understanding the gender gap and promoting gender balance, considering the intersections between various socio-demographic factors. The importance of targeted training and the use of inclusive data collection tools will also be discussed. Furthermore, we will mention the experience of schools in promoting gender respect through communication workshops, aimed at overcoming prejudices and creating a language of respect and inclusion.

Moderator: Emma Zavarrone, IULM University, Milan

Interventions by:

• Forciniti A. (IULM University – Milan) - Gender data and the gender of data: what data do we use when we measure?
• Coppola M. (ABDP - Milan) - Law and gender cultures
• Crocetta C. (University of Bari) - Measurements between gender gap & gender balance
• Mazza R. (University of Bari), Marino M. (University of Naples), Grassia M.G. (University of Naples) - HateViz hate speech gender based: an empirical strategy to identify hate contents

3. Gender in the perspective of the strategic management of diversity in organizations. The CERC experience

CERC has been involved in studies on gender and more generally on diversity since 2010, with its first research on Diversity Management. A new and broader research project on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been launched in 2023 and is still ongoing. The CERC perspective of gender studies is characterized by three aspects: placing the topic of gender in the broader framework of the diversity of people in organizations; propose a managerial approach to highlight how companies can strategically leverage diversity to achieve ethical, social and economic objectives; study the topic in close collaboration with companies to grasp the diversity also in the management approaches that each organizational reality adopts according to its own cultural, value and business characteristics. The panel intends to offer an overview of the main assets developed by CERC.

Moderator: Alessandra Mazzei, Director of CERC, IULM University

Interventions by:

• Alfonsa Butera (IULM University) - Gender and diversity for organizational well-being
• Andrea Notarnicola/Consuelo Sironi (teachers of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Global Inclusion - IULM course) Valuing gender diversity from the perspective of civil rights.
• Luca Quaratino (IULM University) Gender and management models: business as a place of female empowerment
• Silvia Ravazzani (IULM University) A holistic approach to the topic of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in companies
• CERC partner company - Cultural change and role of collaborators in DEI policies

4. The representation of gender in TV series

In the last decade, TV series have represented a transversal object of study, capable of testing the methodological and interpretative tools of different disciplines, from media studies to semiotics, from television studies to comparative studies. Similarly, gender issues have been a topic of transversal and fruitful interest. The interaction between these two fields of force highlights the many facets with which contemporary seriality, in all its expressive forms, gives voice to issues related to gender, crossing genres and formats and soliciting the interest of the most diverse audiences. The research perspectives represented in the panel will consider, among other things, the issues of gender in scripted and unscripted television series, the dialectic between media genres and gender representation, the crucial role of fashion and clothing in the representation of gender in series TV.

Keywords: Seriality; Television genres; Television studies; Media studies; Gender studies

Moderators: Cardini Daniela, Vittorini Fabio, IULM University of Milan

Interventions by:

• Daniela Cardini (IULM University) - The representations of gender in the Netflix series «The life you wanted»
• Stefania Antonioni - Chiara Checcaglini (University of Urbino) - Gender and teen drama
• Antonella Mascio (University of Bologna) - The representation of gender through fashion in TV series
• Vittorini Fabio (IULM University) - Trans*media storytelling: queer identities in cinema and TV series from 2010 to today

5. “The others” are us. Contemporary art and possible worlds. (Area: Visual Arts)

Thanks to its own tools, art is able to subvert the dominant imagination. The lateral gaze with which artists observe the world leads to new representations that provide a fundamental contribution to the evolution of society. On the one hand, we question the issues of gender identity and self-representation, which have assumed a crucial role in contemporary artistic practices, from the visual representation of gay political subjects, to the de-naturalized, de-essentialized and de-objectified in the re-appropriation of codes of behavior, up to the transformation of our relationship with the body and with living beings to overcome the limits of identity. On the other hand, from a historical-critical perspective, it reflects on gender issues in the visual arts, highlighting the discrimination suffered by female artists and non-conforming identities, as well as the ways in which they have been able to transform subordination into an instrument of aesthetic liberation, through images capable of dismantling sexist stereotypes and prejudices.

Keywords: Contemporary art, Body, Performance, Photography, Feminism, Disidentification

Interventions by:

• Sergio Cortesini (University of Pisa)
• Raffaella Perna (La Sapienza University, Rome)
• Elvira Vannini (NABA - New Academy of Fine Arts, Milan)
• Ambra Castagnetti (Artist)

6. Representations and constructions of gender identities in platform society

Gender representation refers to how male, female, and non-binary genders are represented in media, culture, and other areas of society. The panel focuses on gender representation within the platform society, a topic that touches on various social and cultural, as well as economic, aspects. The persistence of phenomena of gender-based violence and sexist and homophobic bullying has also emphasized the need to work systematically on education, especially from the perspective of digital literacy. How do gender roles, identities and stereotypes undergo twists and changes in online life mediated and represented by digital platforms? Digital visibility strategies often put the body at the center as the subject of gender representation in the media (Cardoso, Scarcelli, 2021). Although there is extensive literature on the connections between gender and media, particularly digital ones, research on the gender-digital dyad is constantly evolving, in the face of technological developments of platforms and artificial intelligence. The panel investigates various aspects, according to a sociological perspective, from gender representation and identity in content (from video games to social media) to the analysis of the identities of the subjects in intersecting with the representations of the self within digital spaces, from shared imaginaries (often permeated by traditional gender stereotypes and scripts) to the logic of platforms guided by algorithms based on training data (which reflect the gender inequalities present in society), up to the design themes of gender-sensitive communication and inclusive design.

Keywords: Digital platforms, Gender, Representation, Stereotypes, Bodies, Digital Identities.

Moderator: Mauro Ferraresi, IULM University, Milan

Interventions by:

• Patrizia Calefato; Gabriele Forte (University of Aldo Moro, Bari) - My body in shadowban. Drag performances, fashion practices and the queer clothed body offline and online
• Gabriella Taddeo (University of Turin) #Mammadimerda. Challenging the mystique of motherhood on social media
• Ariela Mortara (IULM University) - An influencer "like us": the Benedetta Rossi case
• Oscar Ricci (University of Milan Bicocca) - A queen in chess? Social and identity dynamics in the Italian chess community
• Valeria Bucchetti (Polytechnic of Milan)

7. Cinema and gender studies: proposals for research, analysis and teaching practice

At least since the 1970s, with the publication of some key texts of Feminist Film Theory, there has been a fruitful intertwining between Film Studies and Gender Studies, which has given rise to multiple approaches and lines of research. In the context of historical studies and those on film production, for example, the gender perspective has made it possible to discover and enhance the contribution of various female figures linked to production, from directors to editors, from screenwriters to costume designers, leading to time itself in light of the imbalances and asymmetries in the attribution of roles and tasks within the industry, as well as the disparity in working conditions. The analysis of the film questioned the representation of the female subject, highlighting on the one hand how cinema as a device has often become the bearer of a heteropatriarchal ideological position; on the other hand, it has contributed to the emergence and reclaiming the importance of alternative cinematographic forms and practices. Finally, studies on female spectators have placed the emphasis on cinema enjoyment as an embodied experience of a subject whose reception practices are also constituted starting from gender identity. Moving from these macro-strands of investigation, in recent years gender studies on cinema in Italy have multiplied and have gained ever greater space and importance, opening up to studies on masculinity and to a fruitful dialogue with Queer Studies. The panel Cinema and gender studies: proposals for research, analysis and teaching practice intends to offer a small cross-section of the richness and variety of studies on cinema which, in our country, make use of the theoretical-methodological tools developed in field of Gender Studies. By comparing more limited research - case studies, presentations of teaching experiences - with other broader ones, which for example are part of national projects, we will try to open up a shared reflection on the potential that Gender Studies has not only to help us understand the production processes of the film industry or the forms of representation of gender identity, but also in the training of aware spectators and citizens.

Keywords: Film production, Representation, Body, Voice, Audiovisual teaching.

Moderator: Luisella Farinotti, IULM University of Milan

Interventions by:

• Chiara Grizzaffi (IULM University), Elena Gipponi (IULM University)
• Giulia Simi (University of Sassari, University Council of Cinema)
• Mariagrazia Fanchi (Catholic University of Milan)
• Elena D'Amelio (University of the Republic of San Marino)
• Annalisa Pellino (IULM University)

8. Victims and silents. Figures of silencing and violence from antiquity to the contemporary

Coordinator: Patrizia Landi (E-mail: patrizia.landi@iulm.it)

The panel wants to examine, through the perspective of humanistic studies, the theme of violence in the female universe starting from the classical world. The exemplary figures of antiquity, thanks to their history and their remediation in the contemporary space of writing, thought, media and performance, stage an 'other' order compared to the logocentric-patriarchal one in which they fit and act, and at the same time time they subvert it by trying to speak directly against the reduction of the masculine to a ventriloquial voice. The female element in this way is constructed with and in language: the expressive power released by these figures will allow us to read in filigree the possibility of a 'different' order compared to the male one that current gender studies have long highlighted .

Keywords: Ancient and contemporary world, Voice, Silence, Violence, Rewriting/remediation

Interventions by:

• Renato Boccali (IULM University) But can women speak? Against linguistic universalism.
• Stefano Lombardi Vallauri (IULM University) Billie Eilish incites. An intelligent youthful sexual female voice outlet.
• Martina Treu (IULM University) "But how do you speak?" The Seven in Thebes (The Sandbags-by Aeschylus) and In his place (Marianna Esposito - Teatring)
• Nieger Giovanna (IULM University)

To respond to the call for papers, those interested in participating are invited to send an abstract of between 200 and 350 words (excluding any bibliography) to the coordinators of the panel by 30 August 2024. Acceptance of the proposal will take place by 15 September 2024.

1. Gender and heritage: enhancing communities and territories in the age of innovation

Coordinators: Monica Morazzoni (E-mail: monica.morazzoni@iulm.it); Valeria Pecorelli (E-mail: valeria.pecorelli@iulm.it); Martha Mary Friel (E-mail: martha.friel@iulm.it) - Department of Humanities, Iulm University Milan

Starting from the experience of the carto-photographic exhibition “La Montagna al Femminile” (https://www.lamontagnalfemminile.it/), a Third Mission project of the Milanese university Iulm, the session aims to explore the relationship between gender and heritage in the valorisation of territories with the communities that live there as protagonists, in an era of technological transformations and innovations. The exhibition highlighted the role of women in the Alpine mountains from the end of the nineteenth century to today, based on stories and photographic testimonies of the communities involved. The project, which began in 2021, combined geographical and historical sources with images that created biographies of places and spaces, culminating in a participatory digital and physical photography exhibition. In particular, digital technology has enabled a horizontal system of knowledge creation, giving visibility to an often marginalized gender perspective. The local communities, thanks to the work of cultural and institutional operators in involving families in the project and in stimulating the collection of photographs and narratives, actively participated by sharing archive documents rich in symbolic and identifying meanings. Institutional actors, cultural operators and academics are invited to reflect on how to integrate new perspectives to understand and enhance territories, examining the role of women starting from the following questions:

• How can we understand a territory, a landscape, a place if we don't also integrate other perspectives?
• Can studying a territory through women contribute to renewing cultural representations that are still too saturated with "male" stereotypes?
• How can we enhance territories and communities through the promotion of their culture and the decisive role acquired in it by women using digital innovation? What limits?
• If the local community represents the starting point for development aimed at protecting vital ecosystems, what role can it play with respect to heritage?
• What is the role of women in museums, festivals and cultural organizations responsible for promoting and enhancing a territory?

Keywords: Gender, Heritage, Territory, Valorisation, Digital innovation

2. Gendered Music: productive, creative and cultural construction aspects

Coordinator: Alessandra Micalizzi a.micalizzi@sae.edu – alessandra.micalizzi@unipegaso.it

Music represents one of the most active and growing creative industries in the last five years. It is at the same time an integral part of the cultural industry, therefore capable of proposing models, conveying important messages, contributing to the construction of imaginaries. A reflection on music with respect to gender issues cannot therefore ignore this double nature which makes it, on the one hand, the theater of productive and organizational logics and on the other, a medium and techno-sociocultural context for entire generations. If on the one hand, therefore, the means of communication and messages define grammars and models, on the other the processes of participation from below contribute to the legitimation and subversion of some schemes. What are the consequences in the perception of the public? What are the experiences of those who use the media on a daily basis? The panel intends to present itself as a space for comparison and debate starting from both theoretical and empirical reflections that focus on the relationship between music and genre themes also in relation to different musical genres. Scholars and experts can send an abstract with a description of the intervention that highlights the theoretical bases, the methodological construct and any anticipation of the main research evidence.

Keywords: Music business, Creative production, Narratives, Representation, Gender studies

3. The genre of innovation

Coordinator: Barbara Kenny, with Fondazione Brodoloni - kenny@fondazionebrodolini.eu

Science, technologies and innovation are not neutral, devices are not neutral, nor is their use. From education without stereotypes and orientation to STEM, passing through geek girls, from cyberfeminism to the feminist epistemology of science to arrive at an intersectional approach to artificial intelligence, feminist reflections and practices around science and technology are complex and now have different articulations: from international agendas to territorial policies, from collectives to artistic projects, from theoretical-philosophical reflection to gender-tech projects. Where are we at? What can we consolidate in terms of tools for analysis and action and how are feminist practices and reflections accompanying technological acceleration?

Keywords: STEM, Artificial intelligence, Feminisms, Policies, Feminist data

4. Navigating the masculine crisis. Challenges, opportunities and strategies for change

Coordinator: Manolo Farci (University of Urbino Carlo Bo): manolo.farci@uniurb.it

The crisis of masculinity is a complex phenomenon that reflects the profound sociocultural changes and challenges that many men find themselves facing in the contemporary world. This sense of crisis currently manifests itself in various ways. On the one hand, we see the birth of phenomena such as the manosphere, a network of online communities where men express frustration and resentment towards feminism or women in general. Fueled by feelings of loss of power and privilege, these spaces are becoming fertile ground for populist and conservative forces who exploit this male discontent to promote reactionary and anti-progressive agendas. At the same time, significant efforts are emerging to address the crisis of masculinity, promoting a healthier and more inclusive concept of masculinity, which adapts to the changing needs of the contemporary world without falling into narratives of victimhood and hatred. Starting from these premises, the panel accepts works that deal with: a) analysis of the online communities that make up the manosphere; b) reasons behind the frustration and resentment expressed in these spaces; c) connections between manosphere and populist/conservative movements; d) strategies to combat narratives of victimhood and hatred; e) initiatives and movements that seek to redefine masculinity in a positive way.

Keywords: Masculinity, Manosphere, Anti-feminism, Inclusive masculinities, Populism and conservatism.

5. An intersectional approach to the analysis of paper and digital press

Journalistic narratives of diversity contribute to creating imaginaries and narratives that circulate in the public and political space and, as many studies show, frequently fuel stereotypes and discriminatory logic, albeit with great variability. The panel aims to investigate the representations of diversity in the newsmedia and in the press (paper and digital), with a focus also on the local one, which refers to a limited territory in which it has community roots. Local journalism, in fact, conveys service information and at the same time performs a cultural function of reflecting and elaborating various forms of belonging and identification. Object of privileged interest are gender representations, their possible intersection with other representations, relating for example to social class, disabilities and racialization processes, and the link with the local as a discursive referent. Contributions are invited that explore, also from an intersectional perspective, the representations of diversity in journalism and newsmedia, with particular attention to the local press. Proposals that also have an empirical and comparative dimension will be valorised.

Keywords: Gender, Intersectionality, Journalism, Newsmedia, Local press

Moderator: Francesca Pasquali (University of Bergamo)

Proponents: Marinella Belluati (University of Turin); Maria Francesca Murru (University of Bergamo); Arianna Mainardi (University of Bergamo); Alberta Giorgi (University of Bergamo)

Call for Papers

Call for papers – Emerging Scholars

Introduction

The conference “Gender Cultures” aims to provide an important platform for reflection and discussion on “gender” as a universal tool of invisible yet powerful organization of daily life, family, education, work, and sports. This is an essential theme that permeates and structures the entire society, defining its current form as well as its future evolution and direction.

The goal is to recognize and value the multiple expressions and nuances of the concept of gender, enriching the social fabric and challenging stereotypes and prejudices that hinder full individual and collective realization. This conference aims to raise awareness on gender issues by addressing discrimination and violence often associated with them through open dialogue and constructive debate. It is crucial to understand how integrating gender perspectives can lead to the overcoming of obsolete and discriminatory cultural norms, promoting a freer and more authentic society. Through a series of academic presentations, interactive workshops, and plenary discussions, we will explore how gender issues influence various aspects of contemporary life and how we can work together to promote equality and inclusion. The conference is not only a place for academic exchange but also a meeting point for researchers, professionals, and activists working in the field to share experiences, methodologies, and research results. This event represents a unique opportunity to create synergies and collaborations that can continue to develop even after the conference concludes.

Hosted by IULM University, the conference aims to establish itself in its tradition of studying communication and social phenomena as a center of observation on gender issues in its contemporary manifestation.

Session for Emerging Scholars

The conference seeks to provide a dedicated and valued space for the voices of emerging scholars. We invite PhD students, post-docs to submit contributions for a session dedicated to emerging scholars, where they will have the opportunity to discuss their papers or abstracts on gender issues from an academic perspective. This afternoon session will offer a platform to receive feedback from peers and discuss ongoing projects. Participants can present their works in progress and receive constructive suggestions to improve their research. The goal is to create a collaborative learning environment where young scholars can grow academically and professionally, benefiting from the experiences and expertise of their colleagues. This occasion will also be useful for informal discussions with colleagues and mentors, creating networking opportunities and future collaborations. Contributions can address any aspect of gender issues, including but not limited to: case studies, literature reviews, empirical research, and theoretical discussions.

On the occasion, the IULM Doctoral School will propose a panel dedicated to the two PhD programs “Communication Markets and Society" and "Visual Culture and Media Studies” where PhD students will present reflections and research intersections on the theme of gender and how the concept of gender can also be analyzed in the dynamics of academic life and the university path.

Themes and Topics

We invite contributions that address but are not limited to the following themes:

• The role of media and communication in perpetuating or countering gender distinctions and discrimination.
• Organizational perspectives: management and implementation of gender policies.
• Strategic communication and gender: brand activism, communication strategies.
• Consumer culture and gender.
• Various shades of washing: pinkwashing, rainbowwashing, and commodified identities.
• Gender: construction and deconstruction in the philosophical tradition.
• Intersections between gender, social class, ethnicity, and other dimensions of human identity.
• Visual cultures and gender.
• Media forms and gender analysis: platforms, content, and effects.
• Analysis of gender biases in user-generated content and AI.
• International approaches to data and statistics.
• Impacts of gender policies in organizations and institutions.
• Case studies on gender inclusion and diversity initiatives in work and academic contexts.
• Evolution of gender norms in digital society and the role of social platforms.

Conference Structure

Wednesday, October 23 Afternoon: Session dedicated to emerging scholars and panel in collaboration with the IULM Doctoral School. Introduced by Luisa Damiano, Director of the PhD School for Communication Studies. Followed by parallel panels.

Thursday, October 24 Morning: Opening of the conference and plenary session

Thursday, October 24: Parallel sessions and closing of the conference.

Submission Guidelines

We invite PhD students, post-docs, and early-career researchers to submit a participation proposal for the conference section dedicated to valuing their contributions. Please send an abstract of 150 to 300 words along with a brief biography to denis.simunovic@studenti.iulm.it and matteo.anichini@studenti.iulm.it 

Presentations can be in Italian or English.

Conference Registration Details

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Abstract Submission Guidelines

To respond to the call for papers, interested parties are invited to submit an abstract of between 150 and 300 words (excluding any bibliography) to the panel coordinators by 28 September 2024. Acceptance of the proposal will take place by 02 October 2024.

Abstract Submission Form

1. The text given in the ‘Abstract field’ will only be considered for the publication of an ISBN Conference Proceedings. 
2. The Bio-sketch of each author in 40-50 words / 2-3 lines, needs to be uploaded in a word doc format file.
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