Conference Sessions

The Conference sessions are listed below in alphabetical order.  Use the search box above to find sessions by keyword. Additional events are being added and session information is subject to change.

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(VLS4) New Conceptualizations in Violence Research And Knowledge Mobilization

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The responsibilities of sociologists studying violence have been shifting. As normative theories of crime and deviance have been giving way to critical feminist and postcolonial approaches, researchers studying violence are growing increasingly aware of their ethical responsibilities in collecting, representing, and mobilizing knowledge about violence. This session focuses on new conceptualizations and directions for the field of violence and anti-violence research. Papers explore the roles, responsibilities and outcomes of researchers theorizing violence, centering the experiences of communities in producing knowledge about violence, and mobilizing knowledge to intervene on cycles of violence.

Organizers: Lily Ivanova, University of British Columbia, Marie Laperriere, University of Manitoba, Robert Nonomura, Western University

(VLS6) Exploring Gender-Based Violence in Ghana and Canada

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Common characteristics of gender-based violence align with characteristics involved in other more recognized forms of hate crime, such as targeting victims because of their race and/or religion and having a devastating impact on society. This session focuses on gender-based violence that is perpetrated primarily by men and disproportionately impacts women and girls. The presentations will examine male violence against women and girls (MVAWG) in two distinct world regions, represented by Ghana and Canada, with a focus on themes such as intimate partner violence, patriarchy, racism, and suicide.

Organizers: Ciara Boyd, University of Guelph, Myrna Dawson, University of Guelph

(VLS7) Gender-Based Violence in the Global South

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Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global social problem, but it is more pronounced in many countries in the global south. Although rooted in socio-economic and gender inequities, several factors relating to weak implementation of domestic violence laws and lack of professional help contribute to entrenching GBV against marginalized populations. This session will accept papers that focus on the intersections of socio-economic, political, and cultural factors influencing GBV in the global south. Specifically, we seek studies that demonstrate how expectations of femininity and masculinity contribute to GBV, how weak implementation of domestic violence laws and lack of professional help legitimize GBV, and how the socio-economic factors and lineage identities shape the experiences of survivors of GBV. Consistent with the theme of the conference, we are equally open to papers that examine local resistances to GBV.

Organizers: Alice Pearl Sedziafa, York University, Eric Tenkorang, Memorial University

(VLS8a) Violence and Society I: Private and semi-private violence

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It can be argued that victim experience has re-emerged to enhance how we understand violent and/or victimizing events and our responses to them. In this session we seek papers that examine violence and aggression in all forms, from varied perspectives including, but not limited to, those of the victim(s), the offender(s), witnesses, the social context(s) in which violence occurs, reactions to norm violations from both formal (governments, police, courts, etc.) and informal systems, recovery and resilience, and prevention. Papers in this session are featured from multiple disciplines that examine harms and their effects, including papers that seek to re-imagine alternatives to how we identify and respond to violence.

Organizers: Hannah Scott, Ontario Tech University, Michael Marcel, michaelmarcel405@gmail.com

(VLS8b) Violence and Society II: Victimization construction and response

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It can be argued that victim experience has re-emerged to enhance how we understand violent and/or victimizing events and our responses to them. In this session we seek papers that examine violence and aggression in all forms, from varied perspectives including, but not limited to, those of the victim(s), the offender(s), witnesses, the social context(s) in which violence occurs, reactions to norm violations from both formal (governments, police, courts, etc.) and informal systems, recovery and resilience, and prevention. Papers in this session are featured from multiple disciplines that examine harms and their effects, including papers that seek to re-imagine alternatives to how we identify and respond to violence.

Organizers: Hannah Scott, Ontario Tech University, Michael Marcel, michaelmarcel405@gmail.com