11/04/2024 (Thursday) 13:00-14:00 E21B-G002
Affective Engagement in Women’s Empowerment Online: Potentials, Limitations and Backlash
Abstract:
The relationship between the internet and women’s empowerment has been the subject of extensive inquiry – from Donna Haraway’s A Cyborg Manifesto to the proliferation of women’s blogs, e-zines, online clips and social media accounts. As digital platforms have become crucial channels for the resurgence of gender-inclusive activities, they have transcended the mere reproduction of traditional media using text and imagery. Instead, they have evolved into conduits for creative and focused methods of rapid dissemination. Through the lens of affect, this talk aims to elaborate on the potentials, limitations, and backlash faced by women’s empowerment online. The #MeToo movement serves as a case study to illustrate the potentials of affective solidarity. However, limitations are revealed through the case of the chained woman in Feng County, shedding light on the challenges of overstating commonality. Furthermore, the talk delves into the pervasive issues of misogyny and hatred against women online. By acknowledging its potentials, addressing its limitations, and confronting the backlash, this talk underscores the importance of understanding the dynamic nuance and complexities of affective engagement in women’s empowerment online.
Bio:
Qiqi HUANG is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (IAS) at the University of Macau. She obtains her PhD at the School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds. Her research interests include gender studies, traveling theory, popular culture and digital platforms. She has recently published in journals including Sexualities, Continuum and Feminist Media Studies.
