Sophia, Belgian Gender Studies Network

04/09/2026

Many heatwaves later, we’re still carrying the energy, questions, and solidarities that came together at ✨Feminist Futures Festival #1: On democracy and coalition-building✨

Together with the CCINDLE research project, Sophia brought together researchers, activists, artists, and organisers to think collectively about feminist futures in times of multiple and interconnected crises.
From democracy and self-determination to bodily autonomy, radical imagination, organisational sustainability, alternative political and technological futures, and solidarity in practice, the conversations reminded us that allowing ourselves to imagine radically different futures than the ones proposed by our current fa(l)s(c)istic political climate is a prerequisite of critical future-building.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed: our speakers, facilitators, participants, partners, artists, and everyone who helped make the day possible (and bearable in this heat thanks to endless supplies of ice creams and watermelon!). And thank you to GC Pianofabriek for hosting us and creating a space for exchange, reflection, and connection.
You can find the notes of the conference in our link in bio. See you on the 14th of November at Pianofabriek to discover what we’ve been cooking up for FFF #2!

Photos 📸: Michelle Geerardyn
Illustration 🎨: Valentine Zhang

03/09/2026

Many heatwaves later, we’re still carrying the energy, questions, and solidarities that came together at ✨Feminist Futures Festival #1: On democracy and coalition-building✨
Together with the CCINDLE research project, Sophia brought together researchers, activists, artists, and organisers to think collectively about feminist futures in times of multiple and interconnected crises.
From democracy and self-determination to bodily autonomy, radical imagination, organisational sustainability, alternative political and technological futures, and solidarity in practice, the conversations reminded us that allowing ourselves to imagine radically different futures than the ones proposed by our current fa(l)s(c)istic political climate is a prerequisite of critical future-building.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed: our speakers, facilitators, participants, partners, artists, and everyone who helped make the day possible (and bearable in this heat thanks to endless supplies of ice creams and watermelon!). And thank you to GC Pianofabriek for hosting us and creating a space for exchange, reflection, and connection.
You can find the notes of the conference in our link in bio. See you on the 14th of November at Pianofabriek to discover what we’ve been cooking up for FFF #2!

Photos 📸: Michelle Geerardyn
Illustration 🎨: Valentine Zhang

26/11/2025

A huge thank you to all participants, volunteers, speakers, artists, Sophia’s Board and project committee members, and everyone who contributed to the 6th edition of our Gender Studies: A State of the Art conference. We are incredibly grateful—and honestly overwhelmed—by everything you brought to these three days: the number and quality of projects, the richness of the sessions, and the enthusiasm, care, and engagement from every single one of you. It is a true honour to work in this field and to be part of Belgium’s vibrant feminist scene, from academia to civil society and the arts. We are still basking in the afterglow of the powerful exchanges and the sense of community that emerged throughout the conference, and for which we are deeply grateful.
At the same time, our joy is layered and tinted with outrage. As we celebrate what we created together, we also witness our comrades and partners in the field being submerged by political attacks and budget cuts, which deeply concerns us and with whom we stand in solidarity. We’d like to quote ’s powerful analysis reminding us that subsidies are not “hush money,” and that we must continue standing for social justice together. You can read our statement via the link in bio.
It is in this complex context that we want to thank every single one of you for showing up, for speaking up, and for continuing the work.
And we especially want to thank our amazing team, without whom this conference would never have happened: Lisa () for the curation of the exhibition “Reframing Female Gazes: A Collective Approach” (still running until December 10th at - don’t miss it!), Bo for the huge help with managing production, Michelle for the beautiful photos, Lucie (.inked) for the eye-catching promotional material, and our volunteers Ali, Brand, Duha, Elli, Joke, Juliette, Lola, Meriç, and Spring. You have our infinite gratitude!
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05/05/2025

[OPEN CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS]

Theme: State of the Art in Gender Studies in Belgium
Deadline: 1st of June 2025

Sophia’s State of the Art in Gender Studies in Belgium is back!
We’re thrilled to announce the 6th edition of our conference, which will take place in November 2025 at Pianofabriek (Brussels). To mark this occasion, we are now launching our open call for contributions, which is open until June 1st.

We invite academic, activist, and/or artistic contributions whose recent work (2022 or later) is rooted in feminist, q***r and intersectional perspectives.

This year, we’ve developed 4 thematic streams to spark the conversations: Gender-based violence | Care | Bodies | Space. These streams reflect a broad but non-exhaustive range of topics. Submissions that overlap multiple themes or extend beyond them are more than welcome!

Check the full Call for Contributions (EN/FR/NL) here: https://www.sophia.be/2025/05/05/call-for-contributions-sota-2025/

Any questions? Reach out to us via [email protected]
Let’s make this edition bold, inclusive and powerful together 💜

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: State of the Art in Gender Studies in Belgium DESCRIPTION For our next event on the 12th and 13th of November 2025 at Pianofabriek, Sophia is holding the sixth edition of her conference on the state of the art in gender studies in Belgium. Gender studies are fundamental to be...

24/04/2024

[OPEN CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS]
Theme: Family Labor/atory
Deadline: May 22nd 2024

For our upcoming event at Recyclart on the 12th of October 2024, Sophia will organise the one-day event “Family Labor/atory”, which aims to unpack, transcend and re-imagine what family, care and community-making represent in our society. We are happy to share with you our open call for contributions for this event, which is open until May 22.

We are looking for submissions that reflect on the meaning of family, care and community-making from intersectional, imaginative and/or transformative perspectives. We welcome activist, artistic, and/or academic contributions. Both creative and traditional (academic) contributions are welcome, and we encourage collectives and/or grassroots organisations to share their knowledge in various formats.

Check the full open call in EN, NL or FR for more information and on how to apply →

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: Family Labor/atory Description For our next event on the 12th of October 2024 at Recyclart, Sophia will explore how we can unpack, transcend, and re-imagine what family, care and community-making represent in our society. How do we approach family, care, and community-making....