Established in 1982, the University of Verona is made of twelve departments and the School of Medicine and Surgery. The Department of Human Sciences has a multidisciplinary vocation, involving Anthropology, Philosophy, Education, Psychology and Sociology.
Since the 80s the Department of Human Sciences has a tradition of studies on sexual difference and gender. More recently, many researchers of the department gathered in the research centre “PoliTeSse – Politics and Theories of Sexuality” approaching phenomena related to human sexuality in their philosophical, juridical, religious, ethical and biological, anthropological, psychological, sociological, pedagogical, medical and historical aspects.
The Centre aims to be an inter-disciplinary pole of advanced research and privileges the dialogue among different methods and theories, intertwining theoretical research (Philosophy, Religious Studies, Literary Theatre and Cinema Studies, Cultural Studies) with empirical research (Medicine, Anthropology, Psychology, Pedagogy, Sociology, Jurisprudence, History). Moreover, it aims at opposing sexism in all its forms: machismo, homophobia (directed towards both gay men and lesbians), transphobia, gender violence, violence against children, “bullying”, juridical and surgical violence on transgender/transsexual and intersex people.
Federica de Cordova, is a social psychologist, Assistant Professor at University of Verona where she teaches “Transcultural Psychology”. Her research focuses on identity and culture, particularly in cultural and social norms constrain in self-definition in specific contexts and how such constrains affect both individuals who meet the rules and the ones who transgress them. She has developed the multi method research “FamilyLives” (www.familylives.eu) on parental identity within seam-sex couples, between Italy and USA.
Chiara Sità is researcher in Education at the University of Verona. Her research deals with the relationship between professionals and parents in parent support services, considering parent support as a context of social practice where macro and micro meet and where the different actors’ visions are mutually influenced. She has developed the multi method research “FamilyLives” (www.familylives.eu) on parental identity within seam-sex couples, between Italy and USA.
Giulia Selmi got her Ph.D. in sociology and social research at the University of Trento and is currently post-doc research fellow at the University of Verona. Her research focuses on gender differences, sexualities and rights. In the last years she has worked on LGBT couples and family by exploring the relationships among personal experiences, cultural models and the legal framework (or lack thereof). She has developed the multi method research “FamilyLives” (www.familylives.eu) on parental identity within seam-sex couples, between Italy and USA.
Verdiana Morandi – Verdiana C. Morandi is a project manager in the field of territorial cooperation and higher education. She holds a degree in International Relations (University of Padova) and a specialization in Sustainable Development (University of Bologna) and in Mountain Management (University of Udine). Since 2014 she has been project manager in “P.I.P.P.I.”, a programme on family led by the Italian Ministry of Social Affairs and under the scientific supervision of the University of Padua.