CALL FOR POSTER ABSTRACTS:
Interdisciplinary methodological challenges within the context of women’s health
December 2-3, 2026
Durham University, UK
Much attention has been paid recently to the unequal attention given to women with respect to health research. This inattention has been across all clinical disciplinary areas including reproductive health but also in areas as diverse as cardiovascular health and pain management, which have been subject to bias. The roots of this marginalisation are deep, from the fact that the model of the ‘70kg man’ is being used as the standard for clinical measurement, to attitudinal issues such as medical misogyny and gaslighting. Moreover, women are historically underrepresented in clinical trials and often excluded entirely by virtue of pregnancy, breast feeding, or ‘hormonal fluctuations’ meaning that the evidence base for treating women is unequal and poor.
At the 4th Symposium of the Women’s Marginalised Health Network we will address this gap and will welcome contributions that will take a critical view of the reasons for it. The symposium aims to make a critical intervention in the debates about researching women’s marginalised health. Discussions may cover disciplinary areas that are particularly marginalised, such as reproductive, cardiovascular and mental health, as well as pain management and post viral conditions such as ME/CFS and Post Covid Condition. We also wish to discuss matters concerning the involvement of women from different ethnic groups as well as issues of intersectionality. We further wish to delve into more fundamental methodological issues such as the ways in which women are encouraged to participate in research by the use of creative methodologies, and the bringing of research into spaces which belong to women – perhaps involving them as researchers – rather than being the preserve of the academy.
Programme and themes
To this fourth and (for the time being) last symposium we have pre-selected several speakers from different fields to talk on the theme of the symposium. In the open call we therefore invite only posters and other visual formats (such as, for example, fanzines, and digital formats) to summarize your research. Time will be dedicated in the programme for the participants to engage with and discuss the contributions.
As the symposia emphasizes interdisciplinary methodological challenges, as well as opportunities, within the context of women’s health, we are especially interested in contributions that explore:
Interdisciplinary collaborations across academia, the arts, community-based research, and health care.
Creative methodologies that bridge theory and practice, including visual, performative, and participatory approaches.
Methodological challenges as well as opportunities in research that explores the marginalization of women’s health
The place of activism and politics in academic research about women’s marginalized health
We encourage submissions from scholars at all career stages, as well as from artists, health care providers, and community organizers whose work engages with the politics of women’s health and embodiment.
Join us in shaping a vibrant, critical, and inclusive conversation into how to further explore the marginalization of women’s health.
Women’s Marginalized Health Network
WoMaHN was established in 2023 with the aim to gather researchers with an interest in marginalisation of women’s embodiment and health from perspectives within the critical social sciences, gender studies, philosophy, and medical humanities. In light of the academic and more recent public attention that has been given to the marginalisation of women’s embodiment and health, we seek to facilitate and build research collaborations which contributes to unpack the complexities of these issues. WoMaHN is organized by eight key members:
Marjolein de Boer, Open University, The Netherlands (founder)
Lisa Guntram, Linköping University, Sweden (founder)
Birgitta Haga Gripsrud, University of Stavanger, Norway
Lisa Lindén, Chalmers University, Sweden
Jane Macnaughton, Durham University, the UK
Cassandra Phoenix, Durham University, the UK
Kari Nyheim Solbrække, University of Oslo, Norway
Anne-Mette Hermans, Tilburg University, the Netherlands
Abstract submission
Abstracts of up to 500 words should be submitted by September 11th , 2026 through this online form: Interdisciplinary methodological challenges within the context of women’s health
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of September.
Venue and time
The symposium is held at Durham University, UK. The symposium begins with a lunch at 12.00 on December 2 and ends at 5:15 December 3.
Registration and fee
Only participants with accepted abstracts will be able to attend the symposium.
There is no fee attached to participation. WOMAHN covers two lunches, reception and a dinner, and coffee breaks throughout the days.
Registration is required by November 6th, 2026. More information will be provided to participants who get accepted to present.
Travels and accommodation are paid for by the participants themselves. There will be rooms reserved at Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County at the rate of £112.00 per night (including UK VAT), to be paid for by the participants. You will be asked to confirm if you want a room when registering.
If you have any questions please contact
Lisa Guntram, lisa.guntram@liu.se and Marjolein de Boer, marjolein.deboer@ou.nl.
Information about the workshop and WoMaHN is also available at: https://womahn.net/
WOMAHN | Women's Marginalized Health Network 