ESRC Seminar Series: Fat Studies and Health At Every Size - Bigness Beyond Obesity

Seminar 1: Abject embodiment: Uneven targets of fat discrimination

14-15 January 2010, Durham University

This is the first in a series of four seminars taking place over the course of 2010-2012, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

In recent years there has been significant concern about the impact of fatness on the UK's health. Numerous policy interventions have attempted to tackle the so-called 'obesity epidemic' in ways which treat or prevent the incidence of such fat bodies. However, within the inter-disciplinary field of Fat Studies and the Health at Every Size (HAES) movement, researchers, practitioners and activists are challenging the limited and problematic ways in which dominant obesity knowledges produce and problematise the fat body.

This seminar series is grounded in the ethos and politics of size acceptance. Each of the seminars will critically question the ways in which fatness is constructed and experienced as a ‘problem’ whilst also exploring alternative understandings, theorisations and experiences of fatness. The series aims to provide a supportive space for interdisciplinary researchers, activists, practitioners and interested others to question the politics surrounding fatness and health, away from the limitations of the medical model.

Further details on the seminar series aims and background to the series

The seminar will combine formal presentations with informal discussion groups.

Keynote

Charlotte Cooper, University of Limerick: ‘Rad Fatties and 'The Obese': Activism, Fat Studies and Paradigm Shifts in the UK’

Confirmed speakers

- Emma Rich and John Evans, Loughborough University: Young people, class, schooling cultures and anti-obesity education
- Corinna Tomrley, University of York: 'Feelings of envy mixed with disgust'; 'I respect her confidence but I wouldn't be the same' - Abject bodies, ambivalence and aspiration
- Lee Monaghan, University of Limerick: Targeting White Coats in the War on Obesity: A Qualitative Analysis of an Online Debate About Clinicians' Weight
- Jo Pike, University of Hull: ‘Junk Food Mums: Class, Gender and the Battle of Rawmarsh’
- Emma Rawlins, Medical Research Council: Family ties: understanding the intergenerational nature of eating and physical activity practices
- Peter Hopkins, Newcastle University: Socio-spatial inequalities and emotional landscapes of body size
- Kirsty Fife, University of Leeds: The Invisibility of the Fat Subject in Contemporary Visual Culture

The seminar will run from 1pm on Thursday 14 January until 2.30pm on Friday 15 January 2010 in the Earth Sciences Building at Durham University.

Registering

The seminar is free to attend (including refreshments and lunch on 15 January) but participants must meet their own travel/accommodation costs. There will be an optional seminar dinner (cost not covered) on the evening of Thursday 14 January.

If you are interested in attending, please send an email to both Rachel Colls ( rachel.colls@durham.ac.uk) and Bethan Evans ( mmu.bevans@gmail.com) to register. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know and we will do our best to cater for you. Please also indicate whether you are interested in attending the seminar dinner.

Low income participants

There are a limited number of bursaries available to contribute to travel/ accommodation costs for students/unwaged participants. To request a bursary, please contact Rachel Colls ( rachel.colls@durham.ac.uk) and Bethan Evans ( mmu.bevans@gmail.com) and briefly explain why you need a bursary (i.e. unwaged/student etc).

Travel and accommodation

Some college accommodation may be available – this is searchable via the University accommodation site:  http://bookings.travelstay.com/DurhamUniversityBooking.htm

Alternatively there are numerous hotels and B&Bs available in Durham:  http://www.visitcountydurham.com/site/accommodation

Getting to Durham University:  http://www.dur.ac.uk/travel/todurham