Edited by Patricia Gherovici and Manya Steinkoler
For psychosocial researchers in gender and sexuality, it can be challenging to find an articulation of psychoanalytic theory – that is, a theory of the unconscious mind and its relation to the body and society – that does not inherently pathologise queer and especially trans identities. Thankfully, the last decade has seen the development of ‘trans psychoanalysis’, a version of psychoanalytic theory that does not inherently pathologise trans identities or transitioning. However, this has been largely developed from theory by Lacan, whose work is notoriously (and perhaps deliberately) difficult to understand, and Laplanche, whose work is only gradually being translated into English.
In the Queer Encounters network, we want to explore the fast developing field of ‘queer and trans psychoanalysis’ during the next few months through this edited collection of essays by theorists in the field. We will start with the book’s introduction, which provides a useful history of the troubled relationship between psychoanalysis, feminism, queer, trans and decolonial theory, and then read key contributions from both well-established and lesser known authors. We will read a mixture of texts by psychoanalysts and texts by academics in the field.
We want to think about the possibilities that ‘trans psychoanalysis’ offers to our research as well as to our personal thinking about gender and sexuality, in the context of post-colonial and neo-colonial structures where gender, sexuality and ‘race’ are mutually implicated. We will also think about how this theory could be used to support political work and activism to protect the ongoing erosion of LGBT+ rights around the world, and especially the increasing erosion of access to healthcare for trans people.
The group will be facilitated by Harriet Mossop (she/her), PhD researcher and Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex, Colchester, UK. You can find out more about Harriet’s academic work and activities here.
We will read two chapters – around 40-50 pages of text – for each meeting, and hold four meetings between November 2024 and May 2025.
Who is the reading group for?
The reading group is primarily aimed at PhD and ECRs, but some of the group are also clinicians, and we welcome clinician / researchers from all modalities.
You don’t need to know very much about Lacanian or Laplanchean theory to join us, but be prepared to navigate some of the weird and wonderful Lacanian neologisms that the various authors use in their contributions!
If you have any specific access needs, given that this will be an online group, please let us know when you register.
For more details about the Queer Encounters network for psychosocial PhD/ECR researchers in gender and sexuality, and our other events, please see our website www.queerencounters.org
You can sign up using the EventBrite link. More details of each session and dates below.
