In collaboration with the European Union Center, DSJE is excited to host a series of speakers who will share on their research around topics of social justice in Europe.

February 2025: Saskia Brechenmacher

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Democratic Erosion and Women's Political Power
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Democratic Erosion and Women’s Political Power: Perspectives from Europe
Friday, February 14, 2025 | 12:00-1:00 PM
University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820

(Part of the Friday Forum x Conversation Cafe series)

About Saskia Brechenmacher:

Saskia Brechenmacher a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, where her research focuses on gender, civil society, and democratic governance. She has advised major governmental and private funders on strategies to advance women’s political participation and defend civic space in countries experiencing democratic backsliding. Her writing has been published in Foreign PolicyJust SecurityNational Interest, the HillWorld Politics ReviewOpen Democracy, and elsewhere. She is the co-author (with Katherine Mann) of Aiding Empowerment: Democracy Promotion and Gender Equality in Politics, published with Oxford University Press in 2024. Brechenmacher currently serves on the board of directors of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law and as a member of the Advisory Group of the OECD’s Civic Space Observatory. She is a 2017 Atlantik-Brücke Young Leader and a Humanity in Action Senior Fellow and previously worked for the World Peace Foundation, the Henry J. Leir Institute for Migration and Human Security at Tufts University, and Carnegie Europe.

She holds a BA from Brown University, an MA from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where she studied as a Gates Cambridge Scholar.

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February 2024: Dr. Sophie King-Hill, University of Birmingham, UK

Headshot of Dr. Sophie King-Hill

Sexual behaviour in children and young people

Thursday, February 15, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 PM
Women's Resources Center, 616 E Green St #202, Champaign

This talk will incorporate differing aspects and the intersectionality of sexual behaviours, sexual health, and period poverty as they link to shame.

About Dr. Sophie King-Hill:

Sophie is a Associate Professor  in the Health Services Management Centre. She specialises in sexual behaviours and assessment in children and young people, sexual health, sibling sexual abuse, misogyny, relationships & sex education and the importance of youth voice. Much of her work is cross-sector, cross-disciplinary and centred around participatory and co-design approaches with young people. Sophie also has an interest in policy implementation, transfer and success frameworks and evaluation strategies. Previously she worked extensively in the third sector in the field of education and sexual health with many diverse groups such as teenage parents and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. 

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Previous Speakers
 

March 2023: Dr. Gabriele Magni

Headshot of Dr. Gabriele Magni and Schedule of Events Graphic

 

LGBT Rights & Representation: What's the matter on the right?

Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 4:00-5:00 PM
University YMCA, Murphy Lounge

What explains diverging attitudes toward LGBTQ+ rights among right-wing parties in Europe? Driven by changing social values and declining religiosity, the center right has largely embraced gay rights. The religious right, whose voters remain devout, maintains its biblically rooted opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. The radical right is split. In Western Europe and Scandinavia, it has embraced the rhetoric of gay rights as a dog whistle of islamophobia to justify anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant policies. When gay rights are seen as a 'foreign' value, such as in Eastern and Southern Europe, the radical right opposes gay rights. Right-wing parties across the board are much less likely to embrace trans rights.
Light refreshments provided.


Community Conversation with Dr. Magni

Friday, March 31, 2023 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, Illini Union Room 323

An opportunity to chat with Dr. Magni about pursuing a career in academic, research, advocacy. This opportunity centers our queer, trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming undergraduate and graduate students.
Light refreshments provided.

SPONSORS:

Diversity & Social Justice Education, European Union Center, Gender & Sexuality Center, Women's Resources Center, Department of Education Title VI, Student Cultural Programming Fee