Project description
Rethinking sex and feminism
Feminist theory often grapples with one of two conundrums. It could become too focused on language and drift into ignoring worldly concerns, or it could treat biology as a static quality. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FEMAT project will study two kinds of feminist thinking: materialist feminism and new materialist feminism. By working with their similarities and differences, FEMAT aims to conceptualise and decentre biological sex. This is significant because a rigid understanding of sex undermines the legitimacy of current social claims, such as the recognition of trans rights. Overall, FEMAT aims to promote an alternative interpretation of sex and gender – neither naturalistic nor purely linguistic – which can guide conversations around equality, identity and human rights.
Objective
The purpose of FEMAT is to conduct a philosophical study of both new and ‘old’ materialist feminisms, examining their contributions to contemporary debates. Despite the convergences between these currents, the dialogue between Materialist Feminism (MF) and New Materialist Feminism (NFM) has not yet been fully explored. FEMAT argues that a comparative analysis of MF and NMF can chart new paths for feminist theory.
One of FEMAT's main insights is to illuminate the role and significance of a highly controversial form of materiality: biological materiality, which has become a watershed in contemporary feminist debates. This project aims to develop a critical materialist feminist approach to the category of 'sex,' treating biological materiality as one form among many, rather than as the sole determinant.
In doing so, FEMAT seeks to address two significant challenges in feminist theories: linguistic or discursive reductionism, which impedes the analysis of the economic and material dimensions of sexist violence, and the essentialism or ontologization of sexual difference, which tends to re-naturalize the category of sex.
The implications of these debates extend beyond philosophy and directly impact pressing social issues. The re-naturalization of sex has had a regressive effect on various human rights issues, notably including the increasing refusal to recognize trans identities, not only among conservative sectors but also within feminist circles. By developing a materialist epistemological framework, FEMAT aims to create critical categories and arguments that can enhance public policies from a more inclusive and democratic human rights perspective, emphasizing the interrelation between theory and practice.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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.
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.
- social sciences sociology gender studies women’s studies
- humanities philosophy, ethics and religion philosophy
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Keywords
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)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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.
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
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75270 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.