[Commlist] Call for conference papers: Diversity in Sexual Health Communication

*Call for Conference Papers: Diversity in Sexual Health Communication____*

*April 13th - 14th at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, 
Denmark____*

Conference website: https://event.sdu.dk/sexualhealth/conference 
<https://event.sdu.dk/sexualhealth/conference>____

*__ __*

Sexual health is an integral part of human life and affects our 
physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. Yet because 
conceptions of sex and reproduction are deeply embedded in cultural 
norms for behaviour and representation, they can be notoriously 
difficult to communicate about openly and inclusively in public 
contexts. Taboos, shame, and stigma make sex, sexuality, desire, and 
reproduction vulnerable to misrepresentation and stereotypes, including 
language and images that privilege certain representations of gender, 
age, ethnicity, class, and more, while excluding those perceived as 
falling outside of normative conceptions and traditional categories. 
Because representations have the power to perpetuate or challenge 
societal ignorance and inequalities, understanding how information about 
sexual health portrays and addresses diverse demographic groups has 
consequences not only for individuals’ well-being, but for the 
development of the communities and countries in which they live.____

__ __

We are therefore pleased to announce the upcoming conference *Diversity 
in Sexual Health Communication *to be held April 13^th  - 14^th  at the 
University of Southern Denmark in Odense. The conference will provide a 
platform for scholars to explore how diversity is represented and 
accommodated in publicly available information about sexual health. We 
use ‘diversity’ to refer to a wide array of factors including age, 
gender, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, 
socioeconomic status, and geographic location (e.g. rural/urban 
population groups and global diversity). ‘Communication’ emphasises 
multimodality, that is, the use of multiple meaning-making resources 
(language, images, sound, colours, typography, and more). While 
doctor-patient interactions are extensively covered in other contexts, 
this conference seeks instead to illuminate the wider societal 
implications of health communication and thus focuses on a wide array of 
publicly available information including materials like leaflets, 
webpages, and self-help books; mainstream and social media; and 
influencer communication.____

We invite papers that critically examine how matters of sexual health 
are communicated to diverse population groups, identifying gaps and 
proposing solutions to ensure inclusive and effective communication.____

__ __

*Topics of interest include*, but are not limited to:____

  * Representation of diverse groups in sexual health campaigns and
    materials____
  * The impact of cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors on
    sexual health communication____
  * How information, attitudes, and perspectives relating to sexual
    health are disseminated through communication by lay people,
    professionals, organisations, and influencers, and the implications
    of this communication for understandings of sexual health by
    different publics____
  * The contemporary and/or historical discourses and narratives about
    sexual health that circulate in cultures and societies____
  * Case studies highlighting successful as well as unsuccessful
    communication efforts____
  * Strategies for effective communication with marginalised and
    underserved populations____

*__ __*

*Our confirmed plenary speakers are*____

  * Deborah Bateson, Professor of Practice in the Faculty of Medicine
    and Health, University of Sydney____
  * Theo van Leeuwen, Professor of Multimodal Communication, Dept. of
    Language and Culture, University of Southern Denmark____
  * Gwen Bouvier, Distinguished Professor at the Institute of Language
    Science, Shanghai International Studies University____
  * Gareth Millward, Asst. Professor, Danish Institute for Advanced
    Study and Dept. of Language and Culture, University of Southern
    Denmark____

__ __

We look forward to receiving submissions that contribute to a deeper 
understanding of how diversity is represented and addressed in sexual 
health communication and how it can be improved to better serve all 
communities.____

__ __

*Submission guidelines
*Please submit the following by *Monday, December 1st* to 
*(sexualhealth /at/ sdu.dk) <mailto:(sexualhealth /at/ sdu.dk)>*:____

  * *Title* of your presentation____
  * *Abstract* (maximum 250 words, excluding references)____
  * *Name*____
  * *Professional or academic affiliation*____
  * *Current role or position*____
  * *Email address*____

__ __

You will receive notification of acceptance by *late December 2025*.____

Because the conference is so generously sponsored by the VELUX 
FOUNDATION, participation is free.____

__ __

Should you have questions, you are welcome to contact us using the 
conference e-mail address: (sexualhealth /at/ sdu.dk) 
<mailto:(sexualhealth /at/ sdu.dk)>____

__ __

Conference organisers____

Nina Nørgaard, Cindie Maagaard, and Theo van Leeuwen

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