Experiencing IGALA13
By Mayra Machado
The International Gender and Language Association (IGALA13) Conference, "Rethinking Genders, Sexualities, and (G)local Activism," was held on July 23–25, 2025, at the School of Humanities and Education (Universidad de la República), Montevideo, Uruguay.
The conference was held in three languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese. There were more than 170 presenters from more than 20 countries. IGALA13 managed to provide accommodation support for 18 students, lunch for 17 students, transportation for three students, and financial support for four international scholars.
The conference aimed to reflect on the role of language – and language studies – in these times, marked by both significant advances and violent resistance to gender rights. The CfP addressed the tensions and conflicts surrounding genders and sexualities from a critical and intersectional perspective, integrating key social actors such as social movements and government policies.
The first plenary was held by Lexi Webster (University of Southampton) on the cognitive models of the so-called "critical gender" ideology. The second was led by Glenda Melo (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) on the intersection of gender and race in obstetric violence in Brazil. This was only the second ever IGALA plenary session to be held in a language other than English, and the first ever in Portuguese!
The final plenary was delivered by Deborah Cameron (Oxford University), who discussed changes and challenges in feminist language studies over the past 50 years.
IGALA13 also offered a relaxed and informal environment: around 90 people attended the IGALA13 dinner, where “best student paper”· and “best academic paper” awards were announced.
We also got to dance to songs we got to choose ourselves. All in all, I’d say IGALA13 far exceeded the organizers' expectations in terms of the number of presentations, presenters' involvement and commitment to the conference, and, above all… our moves on dance floor!
Check out our gallery of photos below!
