The Girlhood Exchange

 

The Girlhood Exchange

A dialogue between practitioners and researchers of girlhood

 

Symposium Recap

On November 1st, Girls Action Foundation, in partnership with McGill University and the Institute of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies, held the Girlhood Exchange Symposium.

The half-day forum that brought together academics, practitioners and policy makers in the “girlhood” field to share research, practices, and ideas. We were truly honoured to have the following women as guest speakers: Sandrina de Finney, Marni Sommer, Sandra Weber, Leanne Levy, Nathalie Lozano, Pamela Teitelbaum, Claudia Mitchell, Stephanie Garrow, Jennifer Thompson, April Mandrona, and Tatiana Fraser.

 

Some Key Highlights of the Event

Several key learnings emerged through these discussions:

 

  • There is a need for spaces to be created to allow for relationships and collaborations to be built between practitioners and researchers.   
  • Further reflection is needed on how we use participatory research methodologies when working with girls and young women.   
  • There is great potential for collaboration but a system of connections need to be made to facilitate and accelerate these possibilities.
  • The lines are blurry between research and practice; this needs to be considered when working towards collaborations.

Next Steps

Girls Action will continue to create space for conversations and cross-sectoral relationship building. We are committed to convening and facilitating spaces for these relationships to be created and to grow. We plan to invite girlhood researchers to be part of our network and to start a task force that can help us generate ideas for convening and exchanging. We are considering making the Girlhood Exchange Symposium an annual event, and are looking forward to seeing this network grow. 

 

 

What is the Girlhood Exchange?

Hosted by McGill University, Participatory Cultures Lab and the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), the Institute of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies and Girls Action Foundation/Fondation filles d’action.

The Girlhood Exchange is a half-day forum that aims to bring a diverse group of girlhood supporters together from different sectors and perspectives. The symposium will convene a cross-sectoral web of partners to share ideas, research and practise.

 

Why the Girlhood Exchange?

Through a panel dialogue and collaborative debriefing, the Girlhood Exchange will shine light on both current research trends in the girlhood field, as well as highlight innovative programs and practices on the ground.

The Girlhood Exchange forum hopes to be a first step towards formalising relationships between practitioners and academics in the Girls Action Foundation network, so they can further each others’ platforms for change with new ideas, strategies and joint initiatives.

 

Who is invited?

All those working in the “girlhood” field; researchers, teachers, students, practitioners and policy makers.

When:  Monday November 1st, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Where:  3715 Peel Street, Room 200, Montreal, QC

Following the symposium there will be a Celebration and Launch of the special tribute issue of Girlhood Studies, dedicated to Jackie Kirk. The event will include a public address by keynote speaker Dr. Marni Sommer and a cocktail.

For more information visit us online or contact us at info@girlsactionfoundation.ca, or 1-888-948-1112.