Anne Fausto-Sterling to discuss sex and gender differences Wednesday evening

Oct. 14, 2008

WALTHAM, Mass. — Anne Fausto-Sterling, a professor of biology and gender studies at Brown University, will examine "Nature, Nurture Neither: Reconceptualizing Sex and Gender" for the Women's and Gender Studies Program’s fifth annual Eleanor Roosevelt Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Fausto-Sterling has authored a number of scientific publications in the fields of developmental ecology and developmental genetics. Her most recent work, which will be discussed at this lecture, deals with the debates about development and examines sex and gender differences. Rather than explaining these differences simply as related to genetic (nature) or cultural (nurture) influences, Fausto-Sterling uses dynamic systems theory to explain how cultural differences translate into physical differences.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Lecture Series was created in 2004 to honor Eleanor Roosevelt’s commitment to social justice and her important place in women’s history. First Lady and U.N. Ambassador Eleanor Roosevelt served on Brandeis' Board of Trustees from 1949 until her death in 1962 and was visiting lecturer of international relations from 1959 to 1962. She gave the university’s first commencement address in 1952, receiving an honorary doctorate in humane letters in 1954. Previous speakers include Patricia J. Williams, Mary Catherine Bateson, Jamaica Kincaid and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun.

The event is free and open to the public and will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall in Goldfarb Library.

Co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Biology and the Department of Psychology.