Bodies, Sexualities, and Biopolitics: a Current Russian Context
(Losevo, Leningradskaya oblast, 20-24 July, 2008)

A summary conference concluding a three- year project (2006-2008) "From the Exclusion of "OTHERS" to the Acceptance of "VARIATIONS"".
Coordinators: Nadya Nartova (CISR), Elena Omelchenko (Research Centre "Region", Ulyanovsk).
The conference aimed to problematize and discuss the topics on body representation, sexuality, (bio)technologies and biopolitics in the social, political, and ethical contexts of contemporary Russian society. Topical issues were considered from different research perspectives (sociology, sexuality, (bio)technology, anthropology, culturology etc.) proceeding from interdisciplinary studies and the experience of activism and human rights activity. The conference focused on the problems of discrimination, marginalization, and segregation of individuals and practices due to situational "cultural illegitimacy" of body and sexuality. The conference hosted over 30 specialists from different regions of Russia from and European universities.
Organizers: CISR, Research Centre "Region" (Ulyanovsk).
Supported by the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

From the Exclusion of 'OTHERS' to the Acceptance of 'VARIATIONS'
Workshop project (2006-2008)

Coordinators: Nadya Nartova (CISR), Elena Omelchenko (Research Centre "Region").
In 2006-2008 the Research Centre 'Region' in collaboration with CISR implemented the research project 'From the Exclusion of 'OTHERS' to the Acceptance of 'VARIATIONS'. Within the framework of this project three workshops were held, each of them devoted to unconventional, marginal (for the Russian academic, human rights, and public discussion) non/heterosexuality, body and its representation, and biotechnologies. The workshops actualized these themes for young researchers and activists, who in turn received an opportunity to acquire new knowledge. During the workshops participants problematized new types of discrimination and segregation in sexuality, body representations, and technologies. The project contributed to the development of intellectual civil discussion (including studies, creative social initiatives, lecturing etc.). Workshops organized within the project: 1) 'Overcoming Discrimination in the Sexual Sphere through the Inclusion of Young People in Creative Social Initiatives' (Buinsk, Tatarstan, 24-28 July, 2006); 2) 'Body: Technologies, Practices, Representations' (Buinsk, Tatarstan, 3-7 July, 2007); 3) 'New (Bio)technologies: Power, Politics and Ethics' (Losevo, Leningradskaya oblast, 20-24 July, 2008). A collection of papers and essays entitled 'In the Shadow of Body' was published in 2008.
Participant from CISR: Nadya Nartova.
Organisers: CISR, Research Centre 'Region' (Ulyanovsk).
Supported by the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

"Reproductive Health Policy in Russia and NRT"
International workshop (St.Petersburg, 7 April 2007)

Organiser: CISR.
The workshop aimed to problematise the application of new reproductive technologies (NPT) in the context of the state Reproductive Health Policy and women's reproductive rights. The participants outlined and discussed the main problems and indicated possible /necessary activities for overcoming discrimination against women in the NRT space.
Supported by the Heinrich Boell Foundation within the project "Discrimination against Women in the Area of Reproduction Rights: New Reproductive Technologies".

New Fertility Patterns and Family Forms in St. Petersburg
(St. Petersburg, 2004; Helsinki (Finland), 3-4 November 2005)

Organiser: CISR.
The seminar was conducted in the framework of the project, "Fertility Patterns and Family Forms" (2004- 2007). The topics of the first seminar (in St. Petersburg) were to discuss the concept of the project, methodologies, guidelines for interviews (with hired workers in the sphere of housework and with employers), to assign the responsibilities of the project participants. At the second seminar (in Helsinki) preliminary versions of articles for a final collection were presented, and discussions of the conceptual framework of the project took place.
Supported by the Academy of Finland.

Gender and Sexuality
(St.љPetersburg, February 2001)

Organisers: CISR, European University at St.љPetersburg.

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