Current Institutional Affiliation
Lecturer, School of Social Sciences

Award Information

Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa: Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship 2018
Institutional Affiliation (at time of award):
School of Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Intersex Bodies and Medicine in South Africa

South Africa has one of the highest incidences of intersex in the world (Gross, 2009). As in other parts of the world intersex became progressively medicalised, as is evidenced in medical research on intersex and the implementation of systematic medical management since the 1950s. This influence of medicine over the lives of the intersex has been criticised, both locally and globally, but it is unclear whether medical protocols in S.A. have changed in step with reforms elsewhere. This project aims to understand both the historical and current relationship between medicine and intersex bodies in S.A. To get a nuanced view, data will be gathered from a wide range of sources, including interviewing a number of both medical professionals and people with intersex, and analysing medical literature on the topic. A grounded theory approach will be followed where data will be gathered and analysed until theoretical saturation is reached.

Menu