By Michael Aaron Gomez
Five undergraduates of the Ateneo de Davao Psychology department presented a research paper titled “The Rainbow Sheep Effect: The Narratives of Four Transgender Individuals in Davao City,” at the 6th International Conference on Gender and Women’s Studies 2019, held at The Federal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last 17-18 June 2019. This conference was jointly hosted by the International Conferences on Research and Development (ICRD) and Unique Conferences Canada (UCC). Out of 350 abstracts submitted, only 50 were chosen to present their papers and share their ongoing research activities in the fields of Gender and Women’s Studies with the relevant scientific and research communities. Of the 50 accepted abstracts, only six of these were submitted by undergraduates.
Representing the AdDU Psychology Department at the conference were undergraduates Kristen Cascaño, Corinne Cunting, Daisy Guatlo, Raphael Santos, and Lyen Krenz Yap. Ms. Yap delivered the paper under the “Gender Studies” session. They formed part of the Philippine contingent, which included students from the University of the Philippines Diliman, De La Salle University Manila, and the Ateneo de Manila University. The Ateneo de Davao group’s thesis had also been awarded the distinction of Best Departmental Thesis.
Mr. Rogelio Lelis, Jr., a faculty member of the AdDU Psychology department, mentored the students.
Yap also received valuable feedback for future research endeavors during the Students’ Circle. Conference convener Dr. Prabhath Patabendi, suggested that the students from AdDU forward their thesis to “Gender and Society,” a top-ranked and exclusive journal in sociology and women’s studies.
From the conference website, the International Conference on Gender and Women’s Studies aims to “bring together leading academics, activists, scientists, and researchers from around the world. [The conference] aims to offer international perspectives with an emphasis on economic, social, and psychological aspects of empowerment and leadership, victimization, exclusion, and social problems.”
