Hiding abuse behind celebration: International women’s day at Radboud University

by Aya Ahlalouch
While celebrating women in academia is important, this approach raises deep concern. The event highlights women’s work without addressing the systemic barriers they face within the institution. Thereby, International Women’s Day is reduced to a token gesture rather than a meaningful commitment to women’s rights and gender equality.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work at Universities with Dr Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven – Culturally Curious Ep.7

In this episode, Nanette Ashby is joined by Dr. Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven. From 2020 to 2023, she was the Chief Diversity Officer at Radboud University and Program Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We discuss the ins and outs of what this job entails. Including meeting with students or staff members to listen to their demands, complaints or issues and the process of finding ways to implement long lasting improvements.

Murdering Clothes: Addressing Feminicide in Teresa Margolles’ Cimbra Formwork 

by Rosa Floris
In her 2006 conceptual artwork Cimbra Formwork, Teresa Margolles incorporates real clothes from women who were victims of gendered violence and feminicide in Ciudad Juárez. She is thereby responding to the phenomenon of feminicide, but what exactly does her artwork communicate?

Amsterdam’s Red Light District from a Sex Worker’s perspective with Nat Portnoy – Culturally Curious Ep.6

In this episode, Nanette Ashby takes you with her to the Prostitution Information Center in Amsterdam. It is located in the heart of the Red light district next to the Oude Kerk or Old Church. I have the pleasure of interviewing Nat Portnoy, a multidisciplinary artist, activist, performer, filmmaker and sex worker.

Why is embracing Relationship and Sex Education crucial for children and young people?

By Nanette Ashby 
The sun is shining, and the tulips are blooming just in time for the “lentekriebels” week at Dutch Primary Schools. During this theme week, children playfully learn about their bodies, puberty, and budding sexual feelings. Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) has been part of the curriculum of Dutch primary schools since 2012.

Experimental Archeology and the History of Pockets with Marjolein Kik – Culturally Curious Ep.5

In this installment, I’m joined by Marjolein Kik, a Dutch academic specializing in dress history and experimental archaeology. Their research into the history of Dutch pockets takes center-stage in this episode. We start with the question: What is experimental archaeology? Marjolein explains the nuances of this new and unique research method and how they created an educational tool for museums, based on this research. We discussed materials, sewing techniques and designs used to make pockets between 1650 and 1950.

Interrogating Street Harrasment with Judith and Roos of Catcalls of Nimma – Culturally Curious Ep.4

In this episode we are focusing on the work of Catcalls of Nimma who highlight and fight street harassment. I’m joined by the founders Judith Holzmann and Roos van den Oever to dive deeper into their process, from collecting the stories to putting chalk to the pavement.

“Girls just wanna have fun(damental rights)”: A review of Bucharest Feminist Film Festival

by Alex Banciu The Bucharest Feminist Film Festival took place from September 14 to September 17. It was its third edition. The theme for this year was consent, and each day had its own sub-theme. On the day I was present, the subject was body politics.

What HBO´s “The Deuce“ can teach us about the intersection of sex work, power, class and capitalism

by Laura Schranz Due to new court rulings that loosened obscenity rules and left them rather ambiguous and open to interpretation, New York experienced a boom in sex work, leading to the so-called “Golden Age of Porn”. Place of action was mostly the so-called Deuce, a street in Manhattan between Times Square and 8th Avenue.