This workshop aims to critically examine ableism as a systemic form of discrimination against people with “disabilities,” with a specific focus on research in the humanities and social sciences. The goal is to consider how discriminatory structures can be addressed and broken down in these research settings and how this can also be implemented in teaching and writing at the university.
The workshop is divided into three parts. The first part provides a brief introduction to the current state of research in (critical) disability studies and the philosophy of “disability.” This will be combined with a methodological reflection on why there are major disciplinary differences in this area and why, for example, sociology engages with “disability” much more broadly than philosophy.
The second part deals with ways and means of making research in the humanities and social sciences (more) critical of ableism and the extent to which it can be usefully linked to other critical traditions of thought such as critical race theory or feminist theory.
Finally, we will work out ways in which we can be critical of ableism on a “small scale,” for example, by problematizing the (non-)use of linguistic metaphors such as “blind spot” or “show backbone” and exploring possibilities for making university teaching less ableist.
The workshop combines input, guided plenary discussion, and group work.
Regina Schidel is an academic advisor in the Department of Political Theory and Philosophy at Goethe University Frankfurt. Her research focuses on topics such as “disability” and the marginalization of people with “disabilities” in philosophical debates. In December 2025, Suhrkamp will publish her book “Behinderung und Gesellschaft. Ableismus in philosophischer und gesellschaftstheoretischer Perspektive.”
The CGC strives to make its events as accessible as possible. If you require assistance to participate in our event, please inform us of your need for support by 22 September 2025 by email to cgcentrum@soz.uni-frankfurt.de. We will then endeavor to reduce the barriers that have arisen as far as possible.
You are welcome to attend this event with your children. Please contact our email address above by 22 September 2025 if you would like us to see whether we can make childcare during the event possible. We look forward to your participation.
There are no special requirements. Anyone with a background in the humanities or social sciences who is interested in more inclusive research and teaching is welcome to apply!
Registration is open from July 25, 2025, using the form on this page, and closes on October 31, 2025. A number of places are reserved for members of the GRADE Center.