School of Social and Political Science

CANCELLED - Femmetrails: Epistemology and Technology on the Feminine Fringes

Category
Seminar Series
29 October 2025
15:30 - 17:00

Media

Image

Yvonne Eadon headshot

Description

(Photo: headshot of Dr Yvonne Eadon)

*THIS SEMINAR HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS *

Abstract

Conspiracy theories are popularly and theoretically conceived as a white, masculine, politically conservative phenomenon. But is conspiracy theory limited to the mind of the white male subject? Conspiracy theories and feminine topics alike are often dismissed as frivolous, ridiculous, and pointless—qualities that have always been assigned to feminine interests and pursuits. Feminized conspiracy theories deal in traditionally feminine topics appealing to women and queer people, frequently in the realms of wellness, spirituality, and celebrity. This talk will explore how feminized conspiratorial knowledge is produced in three specific contexts: communities of Taylor Swift fans who think the singer is queer and closeted (known as “Gaylors”), women who research UFOs, and conspirituality on the streaming video website Gaia. These case studies illustrate distinctive features of feminized conspiratorial knowledge cultures, including gendered research methods, standpoint epistemologies, embodied expertise, and queer utopianisms. 

Speaker

Dr Yvonne Eadon, University of Glasgow

*THIS SEMINAR HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS *

Key speakers

  • Dr Yvonne Eadon, University of Galsgow