Terrains of Normativity graduate student retreat

On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Trans & Queer Terrains Lab (TQT) is hosting a daylong research, learning, and community retreat for Penn State graduate students whose research ties to this year’s theme: Terrains of Normativity. We conceive of normativities broadly and reflexively, not just those related to gender, race, sexuality, and other identities, but in areas ranging from art, science, technology, politics, language, coloniality, geography, biology, the mind, and beyond.  

We seek to question, for example: how and by whom are normativities de-, re- and co-constructed? How are normativities embodied in bodies, voices, gestures, actions, and ways of moving through public and private spaces? What lies in the boundaries between normative categories, and how can we make room for lived experiences that transcend these borders? How do normativities within institutions condition safety, recognition, and belonging for those at the margins? And how can we attend to how knowledge production itself – including within academia – can reproduce norms even while challenging others?  

We seek Penn State graduate students whose research relates materially, theoretically, or empirically to these broad senses of normativities to join us for a day of conversation, learning, and camaraderie. 

This daylong retreat on Saturday, April 11 will be hosted in a private space in Bellefonte and will include: 

• A roundtable-style work-in-progress session to share and get feedback on current or future research projects from other graduate students 

• A writing workshop hosted by Dr. Hil Malatino, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Philosophy at Penn State 

• Performances by local and international drag artists followed by a moderated panel with the artists on their practices as related to our theme at the Print Factory 

• A variety of moments to build connection with fellow grad students across Penn State 

• The retreat will be preceded by an optional-but-encouraged talk on normativities on Thursday, April 9 from 3:30-5pm by Dr. J Calder, Associate Professor of Linguistics, Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, and Women and Gender Studies at University of Colorado, Boulder and one of Saturday's drag performers. 

 
Generously supported by the Weiss Humanities Chair, registration, food, and transportation will be covered for attendees. 

How to apply 

Eligibility: This retreat is designed for PhD students across any Penn State department or school, but MA students are encouraged to apply if their research interests strongly align with the theme. We especially encourage students with interdisciplinary research projects, in a variety of disciplines within and outside of the College of Liberal Arts, and whose research would benefit at this time from interdisciplinary feedback to apply.  

Students must agree to attend the entire retreat on Saturday, April 11 from 9am-7pm.  

To apply, fill out this application form. You will be asked to share about your research, its relation to the theme, and what you will gain from attending. 

Applications will be accepted until Sunday, March 15. While we intend to accept as many students as we can, space is limited and we may not be able to accept all applicants. Accepted applicants will be contacted on or before March 25. Please contact us at transqueerlab@psu.edu with any questions.