Estelle Fisson

Please tell us about your research project.
My dissertation examines the emergence and transformation of the gay and lesbian cause within the main French and Spanish workers' unions (1968-2021).  It emerged timidly in the 1970s, and gained momentum alongside the AIDS epidemic and the growing demand for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in both countries, a period that coincided with a perceived moderation of broader LGBTQ+ activism. This renewed focus on LGBTQ+ rights within unions challenges the still widely-held idea that unions (often associated with the working class) are inherently homophobic.

During my stay in Oxford, I am writing dissertation chapters, with a current focus on the literature review regarding diversity in trade unions and the labor movement. I also discuss my analytical framework and main findings with French researchers currently working at the MFO (sociologist Delphine Mercier and political scientist Nathalie Berny), as well as with English researchers in my field (Fiona Colgan, Birkbeck College - University of London, Sue Ledwith, Ruskin College in Oxford, and Tessa Right, from CRED at Queen Mary University), and with doctoral students whose expertise lies in the history of gender and sexuality.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme?
I am lucky to have received an 8-week scholarship, thanks to a partnership between Sciences Po Lyon and the MFO, which covers accommodation and travel costs. I am grateful to have benefitted from the MFO's commitment to fostering collaboration with non-Parisian institutions, as this inclusive approach enhances the diversity of scholarly perspectives.

First impressions of Oxford/the University?
I'm lucky that my stay in Oxford coincides with the LGBT+ history month in the UK. I have enjoyed some very interesting events on queer history, including a conference with Matt Cook and a workshop and lecture with Canadian scholar Jennifer Evans.

Oxford University provides an exceptional environment for research. The density of its course offerings, seminars, and research networks fosters intellectual exchange, and so do the holdings of the Bodleian Library. The LGBT+ History Month is also an opportunity to engage with British museum collections through a critical lens, as exemplified by the "uncomfortable tours" initiative. I highly recommend the MFO. Its diverse program of events and the collegial atmosphere have significantly contributed to the advancement of my research.