GIS kicked off its new research talk series by welcoming Dr. Marta Fanasca from the University of Bologna to give a presentation on counter normative identities in contemporary Japan.

Dr. Fanasca spoke to GIS students about female born individuals whose life experiences develop outside heteronormative binaries in Japan, with particular reference to the phenomenon of dansō (男装). The findings of the researcher’s recent ethnographic project focused on female providers of sexual intimacy for women were also discussed.

After the presentation, the students had a chance to participate in a roundtable to put their questions to the professor and enjoy a fruitful and informal chat about the field of study. In the coming months, we look forward to more innovative and thought-provoking presentations as part of the GIS Talk series.