WGSS Explores Timely Topics at the 2025 UAlbany Showcase

UAlbany Showcase logo

Schedule: April 30 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Standish Room, 3rd floor, Science Library

9:15 to 10:15 a.m. - MA Final Projects - Representations in Media
Moderator: Dr. Rajani Bhatia    

  • “Frailty, Thy Name is Woman: How Name Specific References to Presidential Candidates Affect Perception and Normalize Habits of Communication,” Joseph Burns
  • “Anti-feminisms, Authoritarianism, and Digital Culture: A Pedagogy Project,” Charlie Ambrose
  • “Exploring ‘Feminist’ Horror Through an Intersectional Feminist Framework,” Nodiaus DiTonno
  • “Transgender Experiences of Connection with Monsters and Horror,” Damien Kritzer    

10:15 to 10:30 a.m. - Break                                    
                                        
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. - MA Final Projects - Policies & Sexual Politics
Moderator: Dr. Rajani Bhatia

  • “Queer People and the Criminal Justice System,” Ash Wells
  • “Exploring the Lived Experiences and Social Acceptance of Same-Sex Couples in Laos,” Lattanee Inthilath
  • “The Devadasi System in India: Public Policy Approaches and Factors that Enable an Exit from the System,” Manaswami
  • “Policy, Power, and Protection: An Analysis of the VAWA Self-Petition Process for Abused Immigrant Women,” Clarice Healy  

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Poster Session, Installation Exhibit & Lunch
Host: Dr. Janell Hobson

  • “Unveiling the Algorithmic Bias: A Documentary Exploring Generative AI and Applications of Race and Gender Stereotypes,” Raneem Afifi
  • “Bakla Epistemologies: The Politics of Class, Colonialism, and Legibility in the Language of the Filipino Queer Movement,” Yumi Cruz
  • “Gender-Based Violence in Public Transport and Crowded Spaces in Bangladesh,” Sabrina Akhter Eva
  • “The Body as Political Struggle in the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Movement in Iran,” Narges Helmisiasifariman
  • “The ‘Jezebel’ Stereotype in Representations of Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Campaign,” Isabella Lucal
  • “True Crime: Women in Trouble,” Katherine Owens
  • “Can Overly Aggressive Breastfeeding Advocacy Negatively Impact Mothers? YES,” Lisa Witkowski  

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. - Transnational Feminist & Queer Perspectives on Cultural Artifacts: Creative Media Projects
Moderator: Dr. Barbara Sutton    

  • “Periods of Change: How Feminism Drives Menstrual Product Innovation,” Raneem Afifi
  • “Sex Toy Consumption and Production in China: Atomized Sexual Agency in Global Capitalism,” Daiyi Chen
  • “Borderline Suggestive: JK Uniforms, Women’s Bodies, Social Judgment, and Feminist Challenges in China,” Xiaowen Tan
  • “Making Visible the Invisible: Situating AI Chatbots Through Feminist Theorizing,” Iris Aleida Pinzon Arteaga

1:45 to 2 p.m. - Break                                        
                                                
2 to 2:30 p.m. - Installation Presentations: Period Rooms in Feminist Global Perspective
Host: Dr. Janell Hobson

  • Living Room - Team 1   
  • Memorial Altar - Team 2  
  • Bedroom - Team 3
  • Food & Kitchen Table - Team 4
  • Class Newsletter - Team 5  

2:30 to 3 p.m. - "Our Bodies are Political" Fashion Show
Bree Langston