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Call for Abstracts - Death and Sexuality

5 September 2023
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Death and Sexuality Social Aspects of Death, Dying and Bereavement Study Group Annual Symposium Thursday 14th December 2023, Hybrid Delivery at the University of Liverpool and Online

Call for Abstracts

Sexual activity and sexual orientation are common aspects of human experience and relationships, but what about their place in death studies? Sociologists have begun to answer this question by studying, for example, sexual and romantic relationships at the end-of-life, as well as re-partnering norms after bereavement. However, there is much yet to explore, particularly forms of kinship and family practices beyond cis-heterosexual and monogamous relationships, and biological parenting. As such, the salience of sexuality in death, dying and bereavement requires further sociological exploration. Building on last year’s symposium on death and gender, this year’s symposium recognises the intertwined nature of gender and sexuality, and their diverse and mutable forms of expression. The chosen topic for the 2023 symposium thus welcomes broad and creative interpretations of the theme 'sexuality’. The aim is to highlight research and practice that contributes to and extends thinking in these sociological areas. We invite researchers and practitioners to submit abstracts on the theme of sexuality in relation to death, dying and bereavement. Topics could include: 

• LGBTQIA+ inclusive palliative and end of life care• Dating and re-partnering after loss• Bereavement in LGBTQIA+ relationships• Sex and intimacy in later life, at the end of life, and with a life-limiting illness• Queer families and families of choice• Polyamory and non-monogamy• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases (STDs)• Psychosocial views of death and sexuality• The eroticisation of death in visual culture• Sexually motivated homicide, suicide, and violence

 

SubmissionPlease submit abstracts of up to 250 words by Midnight (GMT) on Monday 18th of September 2023 to BSADDB@gmail.com. Presentations will be 20 minutes long with additional time for questions. 

 

The symposium will be held on Thursday 14th December 2023 in the School ofLaw and Social Justice at the University of Liverpool. For venue details and travelindications click here. The conference will also be accessible online. More detailswill be released closer to the event. A small number of bursaries are available toassist with travel costs for those with limited financial resources. For moreinformation, please contact the study group convenors Diana Teggi, Chao Fangand Natalie Richardson at BSADDB@gmail.com.Details about the study group can be found here.