Contradictory Realms: Patriarchal Materiality and Feminist Metaphysics in Digital Dimensions

Opening Lecture WOC Research Center Digital Diaspora #

10 December 2024, 6–8 p.m.
GW2 B 3.009 & via ZOOM
U BREMEN

We’re delighted to invite you to the inauguration of the WOC Research Center Digital Diaspora, which is associated with the ERC Starting Grant project AFROEUROPECYBERSPACE led by Julia Borst. Join us on December 10, 2024, 6 p.m., in the building GW 2 B 3.009 and on ZOOM for the opening lecture by feminist author and social critic Minna Salami on “Contradictory Realms: Patriarchal Materiality and Feminist Metaphysics in Digital Dimensions” and a small get-together with drinks and snacks afterwards.

Minna Salami is a Nigerian-Finnish and Swedish feminist author and social critic who is currently a senior fellow at THE NEW INSTITUTE. Her research interests include the politics of knowledge production, the progression of feminist theory, and contemporary African thought. Her debut book "Sensuous Knowledge" has been translated into multiple languages and she is currently writing a polemical book about feminism in relation to Africa. She is a frequently sought essayist and keynote speaker and has drawn over a million readers to her multiple award-winning blog MsAfropolitan. Minna Salami’s academic background is in Political Science and Gender Studies with a specialization in feminist theory from SOAS, University of London.

In her opening lecture, she will discuss the contradictory realms of patriarchal materiality and feminist metaphysics in digital dimensions. In the current digital age, Africa and its diaspora stand at the intersection of patriarchal materiality and feminist metaphysics. The talk explores these dual facets of digital spaces: the concrete, patriarchal structures that influence access, economic opportunities, and the perpetuation of gender inequalities—seen in male-dominated tech industries and disparities in digital resources. Contrastingly, the realm of feminist metaphysics represents a conceptual exploration of how digital dimensions can serve as platforms for transcending traditional gender norms, fostering new identities, and challenging established narratives. As Africa, and indeed the world, faces challenges such as authoritarianism, populism, ecological crises, and the rise of potentially disruptive technologies like generative artificial intelligence, the digital realm plays a central role. This talk will conceptually navigate the tensions and intersections between patriarchal materiality and feminist metaphysics, considering how these dynamics shape and are shaped by the broader socio-political and technological landscape. By examining these complex and often paradoxical elements, this talk delves into the tensions and synergies between digital dimensions, particularly focusing on the unique situation faced by women of African heritage in shifting and erratic times.

To register for the ZOOM meeting, please send an email to: diaspora@uni-bremen.de