Sociologists for Women in Society

Call for Applications for Campus Visit – 2020 Feminist Activism Award Winner, Dr. Ophra Leyser-Whalen

by

Call for Applications for Campus Visit

2020 Feminist Activism Award Winner

Dr. Ophra Leyser-Whalen

Deadline: May 1, 2021

Committee Chair: Dr. Rebecca Hanson (r.hanson@ufl.edu)

Selection Subcommittee Chair: Dr. Ghassan Moussawi (moussawi@illinois.edu)

Photo of Dr. Ophra Leyser-Whalen

During the 2021-2022 academic year, 2020 SWS Feminist Activism Awardee, Dr. Ophra Leyser-Whalen, Associate Professor of Sociology at The University of Texas at El Paso, will make one campus visit. Dr. Leyser-Whalen’s research focuses on reproductive health, weaving in medical sociology, health disparities and gender. Dr. Leyser-Whalen is committed to working with three non-profit organizations: Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, West Fund and El Jardín Birth & Family Resource Center, all of which are dedicated to reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, and women’s rights. Situated at an institution that is on the U.S. – Mexico border, Dr. Leyser-Whalen addresses border politics in her activism and teaching. Dr. Leyser-Whalen also incorporates activism into her teaching leading to mutually beneficial collaboration for her students and the local community.

Applications from all types of institutions are welcome. Priority will be given to campuses with departments with a focus on feminist activism, social movements, sociological practice, and/or activist research. The selection subcommittee will look especially favorably on campuses that are committed to gaining the widest possible audience for these visits. This may be demonstrated by evidence of:

  • collaboration with other departments and programs on campus
  • multiple-campus cooperation
  • community partnerships

SWS will fund a portion of the expenses for the campus visit, thus institutions should not let resource scarcity prevent them from applying. SWS will fund up to $750 toward domestic travel and a maximum of $1500 toward international travel. The host campus is responsible for the costs associated with meals and lodging for the duration of the campus visit.

If you are interested in hosting a campus visit, send your application by May 1, 2021 to:

SWS Awards Committee Chair: Rebecca Hanson

email: r.hanson@ufl.edu

Please put “SWS Feminist Activist Campus Visit” in the email subject line.

The application should include the following information:

  1. An explanation of your interest in hosting Dr. Leyser-Whalen and the merits of awarding a campus visit at your institution.
  2. A description of the type of presentation you are interested in hosting
  3. The number of days you will ask the awardee to stay.
  4. The target audience or audiences for Dr. Leyser-Whalen’s presentation.
  5. A description of how local costs (lodging and meals) will be met.
  6. Tentative dates for Dr. Leyser-Whalen’s visit.

Note: Due to public health concerns and travel challenges relating to COVID-19, we are committed to working with Dr. Leyser-Whalen and the campus visit host institution to identify suitable dates. SWS can extend the timeframe beyond the 2021-2022 academic year for this visit to occur if travel and programming are not possible within this timeframe.