Gender Sounds is an initiative coordinated by the Department of Cultural and Music Studies aimed at promoting debate on gender perspectives in the fields of music, artistic creation and contemporary culture.

The Gender Sounds conference is held annually at ESMUC and features lectures, performances, round tables, screenings and listening sessions.

Within the framework of the conference, both “Gender” and “Sounds” are understood in the broadest and most inclusive sense. Gender is understood as a social construct and as a perceived identity that does not necessarily have to be organised in binary terms. Gender Sounds therefore encompasses femininities, masculinities and queer/non-normative/dissident identities. Gender is also approached from an intersectional perspective, taking into account other biological, social and cultural factors that may give rise to discrimination, such as age, sexual and affective orientation, socioeconomic status, (dis)ability, nationality, ethnicity, religion or culture. The areas addressed by Gender Sounds are equally open, embracing and encouraging interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.

The title Gender Sounds itself can be interpreted in two ways: “sounds of gender” and “gender sounds”. This double meaning reflects, on the one hand, the intention to explore the sonic world from a gender perspective and, on the other, to give voice and sound to contexts that have been silenced on the basis of gender.

A specific theme is established for each edition of Gender Sounds, followed by an open call for proposals in a variety of formats.

Participation is determined by the scientific committee, which selects proposals submitted in response to the open call.

Attendance is free and open to the public. The conference is also streamed live, and recordings are subsequently made available on ESMUC’s YouTube channel.