Working Group 2.4

Gendered and Embodied Ruralities

Convenors:
Lia Bryant University of South Australia, Lia.Bryant@unisa.edu.au
Barbara Pini Curtin University of Technology B.Pini@curtin.edu.au
Berit Brandth Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Examining embodiment allows a fuller exploration of gendered rural power relations and gendered rural space that is discursively represented and also experienced, performed and practised as sensory.  In the context of the rural as an active space the concept of embodiment draws attention to our positive engagement in rural spaces through enjoyment of food, wine, nature and landscape as well embodied recreational pursuits. The rural is also consumed and used as a space for relaxation and rejuvenation. Exploring gendered and embodied ruralities also allows for investigation of diverse and gendered rural bodies and their positive leadership, interaction and engagement in developing the countryside including for example, Indigenous spiritual, healing and embodied relationships to the land, ethnicities and ways of performing embodiment in rural spaces and consumption of the countryside through and by younger and ageing bodies. The key aim of this session is to explore the way in which the rural is lived and empowered through gendered and embodied performance, interaction and experience whether it be via spirituality, religion, belonging, participation in paid or unpaid work or physical acts like fishing, hunting, dance, eating, festivals and other forms of recreation.