Professor explains gender and neuroscience: insight into the brain!

Professor explains gender and neuroscience: insight into the brain!

On May 15, 2025, the Collaborative Research Center “Sex Diversity” (SFB 1665) invites you to a lecture as part of the Distinguished Lecturer Series a. Prof. Dr. Anelis Kaiser Trujillo will speak on the topic “Bridging the Gap: Sex/Gender, Neuroscience and Diversity in Brain Research” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the CBBM research building, room B1/B2 (Levi-Montalcini). The lecture will be held in English and will address the influence of biological sex on behavior, cognition and communication.

The focus of the presentation is a critical discussion about the differences between male and female brains, especially with regard to the results of functional magnetic resonance imaging ((f)MRI). Prof. Dr. Anelis Kaiser Trujillo is Professor of Gender Studies in MINT at the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Freiburg's Faculty of Technology and brings in interdisciplinary approaches from the fields of neuroscience, psychology and gender studies.

Current research and gender aspects

The lecture enters into a broader scientific context that addresses the challenges and biases in neuroscientific gender studies. Sigrid Schmitz emphasizes that meta-analyses in this area often reveal methodological and interpretative biases that contradict a simple gender-differentiating attribution of biological causes for behavior.

Modern concepts of neuronal plasticity offer new approaches to explaining the development of brain structures and behavior. The consideration of these concepts and a differentiated methodology are central objectives of current research. In addition, one line of research analyzes the effects of neuroscientific knowledge production in social contexts, for example with regard to the use of brains as an explanation for behavior.

The role of gender in neuroscience

The field of neuroscience is increasingly influenced by neoliberal concepts that view brains as resources for self- and other-optimization (neuroenhancement). Gender and other interdependent categories such as ethnicity and social stratification remain crucial factors that promote differentiation and discrimination. A central goal of the research is the analysis of gender aspects in the context of neuro-governmentality.

In addition to the event mentioned, there are also other important topics on the agenda in May. A specialist conference to improve health care for people with reading and writing difficulties will take place on May 8, 2025. This conference, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Hall of Kiel University of Applied Sciences, will address existing barriers to access to health information.

The aim of the conference is to highlight the current challenges in healthcare, exchange ideas and discover new approaches to solutions. Two renowned experts in the field of health promotion will present their approaches and several practice-oriented workshops are planned. Further information about the event and registration can be found on the website Kiel University of Applied Sciences be found.

Overall, these events reflect a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of sex, gender, neuroscience and healthcare. The interdisciplinary approaches show that gender is a dimension that should not be neglected in many social and scientific contexts.