Feminisms, Gender, and Theologies Section

2025 Call for Papers

Cristina Lledo Gomez, BBI - Australian Institute of Theological Education (Australia)

cristina.lledogomez@bbi.catholic.edu.au

Natalie Lindner, Australian Catholic University

natalie.lindner@acu.edu.au   

We know that in the history of theology, particularly the Roman Catholic and European sphere, Western male norms have been the default and subsequently dominated and steered the theological conversation. WIth the turn of Vatican II and laity’s realisation of themselves as the People of God, theology and theologians became more diverse, and yet the effects of patriarchy remained in this domain, even as the academy became more aware of its limitations (eg.historical, cultural, racial, and gendered) and sought to address these. With the ongoing closures of theological academies and the search for the loci and purpose of theology today, we ask if this is a new phase in which the “traditional” academy is decentred and with it its inherent patriarchal and colonial structures, providing for a fresh birthing or unfolding of theologies, theologians, and doing theologies outside the conventions of the academy. 

The Feminisms, Gender, and Theologies section thus welcome proposals that explore the conference theme “The Locus of the Theological Vision”, particularly in regard to feminist and gender theological work on the following, among others:

1. How might embodied and female, or embodied and non-binary, or embodied and transgender theology thrive in this new space?
2. Might theology beyond the academy enable a conversion of sinful structures and dysfunctional theological norms (i.e. male over female, cisgendered over trans, white over black and brown bodies, reason over intuition, metacognition and systems over narrative and ‘kitchen table’ theology, temporarily able-bodied over disabled bodies)
3. What does capitalism have to do with it? Women and gender diverse people remain overrepresented in underpaid, unpaid and insecure theological labor. How do we materially survive without jobs?
4. In addition to the work of grace, how do we avoid replicating or reproducing the sinful, patriarchal, sexist, and colonial structures of previous phases of theology? In particular, how do we navigate our own internalised oppressions as well as our own human propensity for lateral violence? 

Proposals should be 250-500 words in length and include: 

• a working title 
• a brief description of your argument
• a select bibliography 

Please also submit your:

• institutional affiliation and position (though independent researchers are welcome)
• anticipated AV needs  
• CTS membership status

Proposals should be emailed to Cristina Lledo Gomez at cristina.lledogomez@bbi.catholic.edu.au by December 15, 2024. Scholars will be notified of the status of their proposals by January 15, 2025.