2nd International Conference on Disability Studies: Disability Matters: Critically Examining Disability and Abilities | iHuman

A collaboration between Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Education, Department of Primary Education, School of Education, University of Sheffield and iHuman, University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield’s iHuman-based Critical Disability Studies team was privileged to co-organise and present their work at the 2nd International Conference on Disability Studies, entitled ‘Disability Matters: Critically Examining Disablism and Ableism”. Specifically, eleven members participated: Rebecca Lawthom, Katherine Runswick-Cole, Dan Goodley, Kirsty Liddiard, Harriet Cameron, Rhea Halsey, Lauren White, Ryan Bramley, Nikita Hayden, Bojana Daw Srdanovic and Antonios Ktenidis.

The conference was organized in collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Education, where it also took place. Special thanks to Professor Yiota Karagianni and Christina Lazaridou for their exceptional collaboration! More information about the conference, including the program and abstracts of the papers, can be found here.

What follows are a number of quotes from the Critical Disability Studies team about their experience at the conference:

Visiting Thessaloniki and Aristotle University as a community of disabled researchers felt like an act of co-production. The personal sharing of knowledge and practices was a true act of scholarly activism. We know that financial and economic pressures mean that disabled Greek activists and researchers cannot always visit, so sharing this time together felt like building a community (bell Hooks). Antonios as a limit wrench worked his magic, aligned with all our work, we had to make the access work and access the job. Interesting to spend time with students who were prepared to give up time to actively participate in the weekend. (Rebecca Lawthom)

Yiota and colleagues achieved a rare feat: bringing disability activists and disability researchers together in a space where dialogue and exchange took place in different languages ​​and through different forms of translation. (Dan Goodley)

What a wonderful space to meet and share personal insights and political perspectives. It was powerful to see intersections of theory, practice and policy agendas in different languages ​​and contexts. Let’s not forget community building! (Lauren White)

What a joy and privilege it was to be a part of this transdisciplinary conversation! As one of the speakers (along with Katherine Runswick-Cole) I felt that the audience, with their whole hearts, critical ears, nodding and nodding, waving and clapping and with their hopeful yet challenging questions, they brought our words to life. Experience gives us energy to move forward! (Harriet Cameron)

It was an absolute privilege to spend time in Thessaloniki with disability academics and activists. Their stories of discrimination and hate crime were shocking but sadly familiar to those of us visiting from the UK, where we have our own stories to tell. The conference was a timely reminder of the importance of collectivity and activism with and by marginalized people – wherever they are in the world. (Katherine Runswick-Cole)

I really enjoyed this experience, what an honor to have been involved. Yiota and Antonios helped create a space for us to gather and share. I particularly enjoyed hearing from many Greek activists and artists, such as Antonis Rellas, who show that despite our differences, many aspects of the disability experience are universal. May these dyspolitical spaces prosper! (Rhea Halsey)

What a unique moment it is when two almae matres (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and University of Sheffield) come together for such a significant purpose: the second International Conference on Disability Studies, Disability Matters: Critically Examining Disablism and Ableism. Among the highlights for me were the community that was built, the interactions inside and outside the ‘classroom’, the solidarity, the dis/political love (to quote Martina Smith), the learning and sharing that took place , care, connections. , food, entertainment and more. A great reminder of the difference communities can make! (Antonios Ktenidis)

Efharisto, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki! In the face of all the discrimination disabled people face – from the cruel political rhetoric around Personal Independence Payments in the UK, to the dehumanizing cuts to disability funding in Greece – how poignant it was to sit in a room with dozens of academics. , activists, friends and family, all of whom, frankly, are fed up with the way things are. There are too many amazing experiences to mention, but one that really stood out for me was the presentation of the Disability Emancipation Movement, whose mantra, “Zero Tolerance,” resonates across national borders. The photos of the protest carried out by these brilliant activists in front of the Greek Parliament on December 3, 2012 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities – will remain in my memory for a very long time. Thanks to Thessaloniki, thanks to Antonios (University of Sheffield) and Yiota (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) and thanks to all these brilliant Critical Disability Studies colleagues from whom I continue to learn. (Ryan Bramley)

I really appreciated the opportunity to be part of this event and to visit this great city. I was impressed by the warmth, generosity and kindness of the people I met in Thessaloniki and I am very grateful to Antonios and Yiota for inviting us to talk and learn more about the incredible disability activism happening in Greece. I hope we will have more opportunities to learn from you in the future. (Nikita Hayden)

It was an absolute joy to visit Thessaloniki. Listening to the talks given by Greek disability activists and researchers really reinforced the idea that no struggle is possible without care. Hearing about the connections and mutual aid between the various activist groups in the city left a lasting impression on me. Another thing: the sense that Aristotle University is a vital and vibrant location of learning and debate. I absolutely loved the fact that the conference was attended by students as well as activists, artists and academics. Thanks to Antonios, Yiota and others for making us feel so welcome. (Bojana Daw Srdanovic)