Project description
Non-binary individuals' role in the production of scientific knowledge
Genius has always intrigued people, but its definition still needs to be clarified. Although generally linked to high intelligence, scholars from previous centuries argued that hermaphroditism and androgyny were vital for the intellectual equilibrium of geniuses. The MSCA-funded nonbinarygenius project will study the relationship between gender and genius in Spain from 1892 to 1939. It will shed light on how experts perceived sex differences to explain genius. Specifically, the project will analyse the case of Hildegart Rodríguez, a famous Spanish child prodigy who was purposely conceived and raised to become a genius. The project will explore a non-binary conception of the mind by investigating women and non-binary individuals’ roles in producing scientific knowledge.
Objective
Geniuses have fascinated generation after generation, whether for their artistic achievements or their political work. However, what really constitutes genius is a question that remains undetermined. Though it is associated with a high level of intelligence, scholars from the 19th and 20th centuries argued that it took something else to be a genius. Intellectual hermaphroditism and androgyny were considered key aspects for the development of genius because of the benefits that both male and female traits could have for the equilibrium of the mind. This project focuses on the relationships between sex and genius in Spain from 1892 to 1939. I will explore how experts conceived sex differences for the explanation of genius and analyse the case of Hildegart Rodríguez, a famous Spanish child prodigy, who was specifically conceived and raised to become a genius and was later murdered by her own mother.
There have been studies on genius and child prodigies that worked on the importance of genius for social progress and the lack of women genius. This project will go beyond these studies by shedding light on a non-binary conception of the mind. Through the approach of intellectual history, cultural history, and gender studies, I will work on three research objectives: 1) examine intellectual hermaphroditism or androgyny in the study of sex differences in relation to intelligence; 2) discuss how a non-binary conception of genius contributed to the nature vs nurture debate; 3) analyse correspondence and personal writings by Hildegart Rodríguez. Overall, this project aims to empower women and non-binary folk by investigating their historical role in the production of scientific knowledge.
My strong background in History of Psychology, particularly in the study of intelligence and the circulation of psychological knowledge, combined with my supervisor’s expertise and the host group’s work, will ensure the successful implementation of this project.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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28006 Madrid
Spain
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