Disabilities, pleasures, and sexualities: transforming perceptions, cultivating desires research in social science and disability, Volume 17 – call for book chapters

Proposed book editors: Dr. Alan Martino, Dr. Ann Fudge Schormans, Dr. B. Ethan Coston

Deadline: 15 October 2024

How to submit

Despite facing numerous obstacles to sexuality, sexual expression, and parenting, individuals with disabilities have consistently showcased resilience, agency, and creativity.

This volume seeks to highlight and celebrate these qualities by inviting contributions that challenge stereotypes, reimagine expressions of sexuality, illuminate aspects of reproduction and parenting, and explore different forms of intimate relationships. _We are especially keen on submissions that exemplify the concept of "desire-based research" (Tuck, 2009), which recognises not only the challenges and despair but also the hope, visions, and wisdom emanating from lived experiences and communities. Our goal is to foster a rich dialogue around the themes of activism, agency, pleasure, desire, and the dynamics of parenting and family life within the context of disability and sexuality. 

Consistent with previous volumes in the RSSD series, we welcome submissions from a variety of disciplines in the social sciences and from interdisciplinary teams of authors who engage with social science theories, methodologies, and literatures. We also encourage submissions from scholars around the world, and we particularly encourage research conducted outside of the global north. We welcome theoretical, methodological, and empirical papers that contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between disability and sexuality. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
 

• Disabled people's perspectives on sexualities, pleasures and desires that challenge, subvert, and celebrate sex, sexuality, and romance. 
• Examples of agency and “cripping” of sexualities by disabled people.
• Genders, queerness, transness, marginalised sexualities. 
• Innovative approaches to evidence-based and sex-positive sexuality education. 
• Barriers and challenges related to sex, sexuality, and romance disabled people face.
   

All papers should adhere to the stylistic requirements of Emerald Press.

Timeline 

• 15 October 2024: Due date for abstracts. Abstracts should contain expression of interest and commitment to submit a full paper. They should be approximately 500-1000 words and submitted as Word documents or PDFs. Abstracts should be organised in the following sections: Purpose, Approach, Findings (anticipated findings are sufficient at this stage), and Implications. Send abstracts to Alan Martino at [email protected].  
• 15 April 2025: Due date for the completed paper. These will be peer-reviewed. 
• 15 August 2025: Due date for manuscripts completed after secondary revision. 
• Spring 2026: Anticipated publication date.