French and Francophone Philosophers and The Development of LGBTQIA+ Movements in The 20th Century (Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom)
French and Francophone Philosophers and the Development of LGBTQIA+ Movements in the 20th Century
CALL FOR PAPERS
Extended Deadline & Registration Now Open
We are pleased to announce an extended deadline for poster presentations and the opening of registration for the international one-day conference French and Francophone Philosophers and the Development of LGBTQIA+ Movements in the 20th Century, funded by the Race Equality Fund (Aberystwyth University) and the ECR Research Workshop Grant (The Learned Society of Wales), taking place on Saturday, 7th February 2026, at Aberystwyth University, Wales (UK). The conference language is English.
About the Conference
This international one-day conference, held during LGBTQ+ History Month, will explore the relationship between French and Francophone philosophy and the development of LGBTQIA+ movements across the twentieth century. The intellectual contributions of figures such as Simone de Beauvoir, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, Monique Wittig, and Hélène Cixous profoundly shaped how we think about gender, sexuality, embodiment, and power. Their ideas crossed borders and disciplines, providing key foundations for feminist and queer theory, and influencing the strategies of activists, artists, and scholars.
The aim of this event is to bring together academic research, creative expression, and political engagement. In doing so, it highlights not only the philosophical underpinnings of queer thought but also the ways in which theory interacts with activism, performance, and literature. By situating these discussions during LGBTQ+ History Month, the conference celebrates both the intellectual history and the ongoing struggles of queer communities worldwide.
Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Elliot Evans (University of Birmingham), a prolific scholar of French and Francophone thought and queer theory. Alongside Dr. Evans, we will welcome a second keynote speaker, the famous Moroccan LGBTQIA+ author and film director, (Dr.) Abdellah Taïa, each of whom will offer a different and complementary perspective.
Poster presentations
The deadline for poster submissions has been extended to 5th January 2026. Posters are welcome from students at all levels, including those based abroad; remote participation is possible for the poster competition.
Students wishing to submit a poster should provide an abstract of up to 200 words outlining its objectives, along with a 100-word biography. A cover letter may also be included. Posters are welcome from students based abroad or with limited resources, and in-person attendance is not required in order to participate in the poster competition, but still warmly encouraged. The best poster presentation will be awarded a £100 Prize.
Inclusivity and Diversity
The organising committee is promoting a genuinely diverse and inclusive event. This entails ensuring fair representation across gender identities, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and other dimensions of human diversity. A number of presentation slots will be reserved for early career researchers, doctoral students, and underrepresented groups. We encourage applicants to make use of the optional cover letter to highlight how their specific participation might contribute to this aim. In addition, a portion of the budget will be allocated to childcare support, for participants who require it.
Registration
Participants may now register to attend online or in person. Everyone is welcome.
Registration deadline: 23rd January 2026
Registration form: Event Registration Form – Fill out form.
Contact: thp42@aber.ac.uk.