16. October 2025

Prof. Daphna Joel (Tel Aviv University): “Rethinking sex, brain, and gender: From binary to mosaic”

This event offered a critical look at how sex and gender are defined, measured, and interpreted in contemporary (f)MRI research. Daphna Joel examined common assumptions about differences between male and female brains and highlighted the challenges that arise when linking human behavior directly to neural structures. The talk also addressed how gender-diverse identities are represented in brain studies and what a “queer” perspective in neuroscience might entail. By integrating insights from both Neuroscience and Gender Studies, the lecture encouraged a more nuanced understanding of diversity in brain research—while acknowledging that technological advances alone cannot resolve persistent inequalities in STEM.

Review the DLS lecture and seminar on our Science Blog: https://sfb1665blog.de/why-the-brain-isnt-binary-dls-recap-on-rethinking-sex-and-gender-as-a-mosaic/

16. May 2025

Prof. Anelis Kaiser Trujillo: “Bridging the Gap? Sex/Gender, Neuroscience, and Diversity in Brain Research”

This lecture examined how sex and gender are categorized, studied, and interpreted in (f)MRI research, with a focus on claims about structural and functional differences between male and female brains. It addressed the challenges of including diverse gender identities in neuroscience and discussed how they are measured and represented in current studies. Anelis Kaiser Trujillo highlighted the tensions between viewing sex/gender as fixed biological variables in neuroscience and as socially constructed categories in Gender Studies, proposing a transdisciplinary approach to bridge these perspectives. The event also reflected on what “queerness” in neuroscience could mean and explored how AI-driven methods aim to capture human diversity—while persistent issues such as gender inequality in STEM remain unresolved.

Read about the event on our Science Blog: https://sfb1665blog.de/bridging-disciplines-neuroscience-meets-gender-studies-at-crc-1665-distinguished-lecturer-series/

13. February 2025

Prof. Sigrid Schmitz (HU Berlin): NeuroGenderings: Approaches for a Sex/Gender informed Brain Research

The lecture focused on how the transdisciplinary NeuroGenderings network of scholars from neurosciences, gender/queer and feminist science technology studies develop conceptual approaches to study and analyze the entangled biological, social and cultural variables that constitute sexed/gendered brains whilst acknowledging their diversity. Sigrid Schmitz outlined the network’s bio-socio-cultural approaches, highlighted their potential for developing sex/gender-informed neuroscience, and discussed the methodological challenges involved in defining, selecting, and negotiating operationalized variables for empirical research. The event emphasized both the promise and complexity of integrating diversity-aware perspectives into brain research.

Read a recap on the event on our Science Blog: https://sfb1665blog.de/recap-on-the-distinguishedlecture-neurogenderings-approaches-for-gender-equitable-brain-research-on-13-february-2025/

12. December 2024

Prof. Staffan Müller-Wille (Cambridge, UK): Sex and Gender in the History of the Life Sciences

The lecture explored the historical development of understandings of sex and gender from antiquity to the mid-twentieth century. Staffan Müller-Wille highlighted how science, technology, and medicine are often portrayed as driving forces in the reinforcement of sex binaries and gender stereotypes, while also revealing queer patterns and variations across life forms. He emphasized that sex and gender have historically been fluid categories, yet this very fluidity has been regulated by normalizing discourses to align with prevailing societal norms.

A full recording of the lecture can be found on our Science Blog: https://sfb1665blog.de/distinguished-lecture-with-staffan-muller-wille-is-now-available-on-youtube/
 

17. October 2024

Prof. Melissa Hines (Cambridge): Early androgen exposure and human gender development

The lecture and seminar focused on the role of androgenic hormones in early neurobehavioral development. Melissa Hines discussed evidence from both animal studies and human cases, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), showing how early androgen exposure can influence behaviors like childhood play, gender identification, sexual interest, and certain cognitive abilities. It was emphasized that while some sex- and gender-related behaviors are shaped by hormones, others develop independently, and social and cognitive factors also interact with early hormone exposure to shape outcomes. Future research directions were suggested to explore these complex interactions.

A full recording of the lecture can be found on our Science Blog: https://sfb1665blog.de/distinguished-lecture-with-melissa-hines-is-now-available-on-youtube/

6. June 2025

Prof. Andrew Sinclair (Melbourne): Differences in Sex Development: the past, present and future

Andrew Sinclair opened the CRC with an introductory lecture, providing a historical perspective on research into differences in sex development.