Thursday, May 15, 2025
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM (PT)
University of Minho – Gualtar Campus | Building 2, Room 1.12

This session will explore issues related to sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention and care among young people, people living with HIV, and sex workers in Thailand. It will present examples of social phenomena and research studies conducted in the country. In terms of the past, it will reflect on the first wave of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the stigma affecting vulnerable groups. In the present, recent policies and developments in the field of sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention will be discussed. Finally, the class will address prospects for future public policies and initiatives in this area.

Open to all interested participants, this initiative is part of the Master’s Degree in Sociology at the Department of Sociology of the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Minho, in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences – University of Minho branch.

More information: cics@ics.uminho.pt

Kangwan Fongkaew is a Lecturer at the Department of Communication Arts, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Burapha University (Thailand), with a PhD in Social Sciences from Chiang Mai University (2015). Fongkaew research primarily focuses on HIV prevention among sexual and gender minorities in Thailand, particularly young gay men and transgender women. He co-authored studies addressing barriers to HIV testing, PrEP engagement, the impact of stigma on health outcomes in these communities and contributing to discussions on LGBTIQ+ representation in Thai media. In addition to his academic work, Fongkaew is actively involved in advocating for LGBTIQ+ rights and inclusion in Asia.

Ana Maria Brandão completed the PhD in Sociology in 2008 by the University of Minho, the MA in Human Resources Policies and Management in 1997 by the ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa and the BA in Sociology in 1991 by the University of Porto. She is a Researcher in the Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA.UMinho) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology of the University of Minho. She was Deputy Director of the Department of Sociology of the University of Minho. She is the Editor of Configurações: Revista de Ciências Sociais and Director of the MA in Sociology of Gender and Sexuality in the University of Minho.

This initiative is funded by Project UID 04647 – CICS.NOVA – Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences.

Friday, 16 May 2025

09:00 – 11:00 (PT)

University of Minho – Gualtar Campus | Building 1, Room 1.22

This session will explore social movements of marginalized groups in Thailand — young people, people living with HIV, and sex workers — organized into three moments: past, present and future. Through examples and case studies, it will address the evolution of social perceptions, ongoing struggles for rights and justice, and the prospects for future mobilizations led by these groups.

Open to all interested participants, this event is part of the Master’s in Crime, Difference and Inequality of the Department of Sociology of the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Minho, in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences – University of Minho Hub.

Kangwan Fongkaew is a Lecturer at the Department of Communication Arts, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Burapha University (Thailand), with a PhD in Social Sciences from Chiang Mai University (2015). Fongkaew research primarily focuses on HIV prevention among sexual and gender minorities in Thailand, particularly young gay men and transgender women. He co-authored studies addressing barriers to HIV testing, PrEP engagement, the impact of stigma on health outcomes in these communities and contributing to discussions on LGBTIQ+ representation in Thai media. In addition to his academic work, Fongkaew is actively involved in advocating for LGBTIQ+ rights and inclusion in Asia.

Fernando Bessa Ribeiro is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Minho and an Integrated Researcher at CICS.NOVA.UMinho. He holds a PhD in Human and Social Sciences (2005) from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and received his Agregation in Sociology from NOVA University Lisbon in 2016. Capitalism and development, gender, and sexuality are among his main research interests. More recently, he has focused on urban issues and poverty in Portugal. He has authored over 180 scientific publications, including book chapters, books, journal articles, reviews, conference proceedings, reports, and translations.

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Next Tuesday, 13 may 2025, and in association with the Interdisciplinary Study Group in Social Sciences (GEICS), the 3rd CICS Lunch Seminar 2025 will take place in a hybrid format. The guest, Kangwan Fongkaew, visiting researcher from Burapha University (Thailand), will address the topic “LGBTQ+ representations in media, gender equality & LGBTQ+ rights movements in Thailand”. The session will be moderated by Eduarda Ferreira, CICS.NOVA researcher and professor at NOVA FCSH.

The event will be held in English.

Participation is free, but registration is required, and can be done via the QR Code on the poster or at: https://forms.gle/gsMyGGeLjh1Jbsi37

A certificate of participation may be issued upon request.

Kangwan Fongkaew is a Lecturer at the Department of Communication Arts, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Burapha University (Thailand), with a PhD in Social Sciences from Chiang Mai University (2015). Fongkaew research primarily focuses on HIV prevention among sexual and gender minorities in Thailand, particularly young gay men and transgender women. He co-authored studies addressing barriers to HIV testing, PrEP engagement, the impact of stigma on health outcomes in these communities and contributing to discussions on LGBTIQ+ representation in Thai media. In addition to his academic work, Fongkaew is actively involved in advocating for LGBTIQ+ rights and inclusion in Asia.

Eduarda Ferreira is a Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA), at FCSH/NOVA, Portugal. With a background in Educational Psychology, a master’s degree in e-Learning Management Systems, and a PhD in Social and Cultural Geography, Eduarda’s research interests include geographies of sexualities, ICT in education, geospatial web, digital inclusion and gender equality. She is a member of various research projects, such as Net Children Go Mobile and EU Kids Online, and a founding member of REGGSILA – Iberian and Latin American Network of Geography, Gender and Sexuality. Eduarda has published and presented on topics related to gender and sexualities, digital technologies, and education. Her research profile lies at the intersection of diverse areas of interest: gender, sexualities, and digital practices.

Bring your contribution and join us for an enriching debate, followed by a convivial moment and a shared lunch.