Trans studies in a Nordic context

We intend to organize a Swedish conference with input from other Nordic countries with the aim of moving the field of trans studies forward in Sweden and the entire Nordic region.

Organizing a conference focusing on trans issues in Sweden would be important given that Sweden ranks lowest in the Nordic region according to ILGA´s (International Lesbian and Gay Alliance) annual ranking of achieved rights for LGBTQ people, mainly due to the low ranking related to transgender rights (ILGA, 2024a, b).

Currently, trans people do not have the same access to society in line with the Social Services Act (2001:453), nor equal care in line with the Health Care Act (2017:30), are discriminated against due to gender identity and gender expression despite the Discrimination Act (2008:567), and are sent back to their countries of origin by the Migration Agency in violation of Swedish and international law (Folkhälsomyndigheten, 2015; Gröndahl, 2023).

Research related to trans issues has increased in Sweden in recent years, but in the Swedish and Nordic sphere, the area lacks a formalized academic infrastructure.

This makes it clear that it is important to create spaces to discuss and further develop trans studies as a field, especially in a political climate where trans issues are hotly debated.The conference will be organized during the autumn of 2025. Two keynote speakers are invited, one from Sweden and one international to broaden the conversations held.

Three parallel sessions will be organized with a total of 27 presentations, as well as a larger poster presentation where all other participants can present their research.

During the two days, opportunities are given to create new contacts and the conference ends with further discussions about collaborations in smaller groups.

The conference participation is free of charge to encourage a breadth of participation as it enables doctoral students, non-academic professionals and other actors to participate.