Voices in Vulnerability

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Vulnerability theory arises in opposition to neoliberalism, replacing the liberal legal subject with the universally vulnerable individual. It's a new way of analyzing state responsibility and human relationships outside of the constraints of capitalism and hierarchy that better reflects the lived reality of humans today. Join us to learn from a diverse field of scholars who are shaping vulnerability theory in the legal world and beyond!

Vulnerability and the Human Condition Initiative


    • Mar 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Voices in Vulnerability

    Dana Lloyd - Land as Kin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 36:34


    "If the land is not free and not safe, we are not free and not safe." Listen to Professor Dana Lloyd discuss property and religion, environmental law, and her most recent book, Land Is Kin: Sovereignty, Religious Freedom, and Indigenous Sacred Sites. Available at https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700635894/

    Collective Harm with Martha Fineman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 30:52


    Listen to Professor Martha Albertson Fineman discuss the concept of collective harm.

    Decision Making in Asylum Cases Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender with Denise Venturi

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 28:17


    What factors influence decision-making in asylum cases based on sexual orientation and gender? Denise Venturi, PhD Candidate at KU Leuven, discusses her research into decision-making in asylum cases based on sexual orientation and gender, interviews with judges and refugees, her experiences as a visiting scholar at the FLT Project, work in the Feminism and Legal Theory Project archives, and more.

    Disability Rights and Reproductive Rights with Dhanishka Seneviratne

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 32:36


    Are disability rights and reproductive rights fundamentally opposed to one another? Dhanishka Seneviratne joined the Vulnerability and the Human Condition Initiative and the Feminism and Legal Theory Project at Emory Law from the University of Birmingham to conduct research on “Vulnerability, Relationality, and Disability-Selective Abortions: Re-designing the Responsive State" during the spring 2024 semester.

    Educating Judges in Argentina with Dr. Ursula Basset

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 36:26


    Philosopher and legal theorist, Dr. Ursula Basset describes how teaching vulnerability theory allows for an approach based on solidarity. She discusses various applications of vulnerability theory in Argentina and her work teaching judges to apply the theory in their interpretations of the law and making policy recommendations.

    Current Issues in Organ Donation and Surrogacy in Uganda with Dr. Musoke

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 23:00


    Dr. Harriet Musoke discusses issues surrounding recent and upcoming legislation in Uganda regarding organ donation and surrogacy. Dr. Musoke is Senior Principal Lecturer at the Law Development Centre and Senior Lecturer at the Islamic University in Uganda. She lectures in family law, human rights, women's rights and health law in particular reproductive and sexual health and rights. Dr. Musoke was Emory Law's first SJD student, graduating in 2008.

    Dr. SN Nyeck on Gender VT and Public Procurement

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 39:35


    Dr. Nyeck discusses their recent publication, Gender, Vulnerability Theory and Public Procurement: Perspectives on Global Reform. They invite listeners to “rethink the story about production, about valuation,” asking “what do we value?" Order the book here: https://www.routledge.com/Gender-Vulnerability-Theory-and-Public-Procurement-Perspectives-on-Global/Nyeck/p/book/9781032442815

    Mary Joe Maduabum on International IP Law and Vulnerability Theory

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2023 36:22


    VHC Visiting Scholar, Chinwe Mary Joe Maduabum, discusses her research in international intellectual property law (specifically patents) and what vulnerability theory has added to her analysis.

    How Contract Law and Values Shape Each Other with Dr. Tim Dodsworth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 29:56


    How do values shape contract law and how does contract law shape cultural values? Dr. Timothy Dodsworth of Newcastle University discusses his research into the values of contract law.

    Authoritarianism and Critical Thinking with Dr. Peter Wang

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 22:06


    "Man can conquer heaven...but where is the state?" Dr. Peter Wang discusses authoritarianism and the important role of critical thinking in turning the public's attention to government action (or inaction). Listen to this interview given by Dr. Peter Wang, Associate Professor of Law at City University of Hong Kong.

    Family Experiences of the State with Charisa Kiyô Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 34:24


    Professor Charisa Kiyô Smith of CUNY Law discusses how access to resources impacts family experiences of the state, youth technology and cyber abuse, marijuana law in the context of family law, pod mapping, responding to violence without the police and more.

    Asylum In The European Union - Aysel Kucuksu

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 31:59


    This interview with Aysel Kucuksu tracks her recently published papers on a vulnerability approach to asylum law and on applying artificial intelligence to the European Court of Human Rights' decision-making process. Aysel can be found on Twitter @aysel_kucuksu. Articles mentioned: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4081945 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18918131.2022.2078028

    The Social Pharmacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2022 44:54


    Artist Jody Wood discusses her latest piece, Social Pharmacy, an interactive experience that invites participants to share and exchange health remedies. She explores the forces shaping our relationship to health and health institutions, and discusses what is shared and what is private within those relationships.

    Access to Justice with Andrew Pilliar

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2022 26:55


    Professor Andrew Pilliar of Thompson Rivers University discusses how vulnerability theory informs his approach to reforming various systems to provide meaningful access to justice. Read 'Filling the Normative Hole at the Centre of Access to Justice: Toward a Person-Centred Conception' by Andrew Pilliar here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4100809

    Resiliency Gaps with Marc Roark

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2022 39:38


    Professor Marc L. Roark discusses his latest work on resiliency gaps, property as an asset of resilience and more.

    Unfair Housing Law with Xiaoqian Hu

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2022 19:18


    Associate Professor Xiaoqian Hu discusses fair housing, the uses of property, and her strategy for creating incremental change.

    Responsive Human Rights

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2022 26:55


    Dr. Atieno Mboya interviews Corina Heri about her recently published book, Responsive Human Rights: Vulnerability, Ill-treatment and the ECtHR.

    The Elder Catch with Jessica Dixon Weaver

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2022 48:27


    Professor Jessica Dixon Weaver discusses the 'elder catch' (a caregiving/work dilemma faced by increasing numbers of adult children), explains the concept of 'resistant assets,' and discusses how the Covid-19 pandemic impacts her research. Articles referenced below. The Perfect Storm: Coronavirus and The Elder Catch (2021). 96 Tul. L. Rev. 59 (2021), SMU Dedman School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 507, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3839611 Weaver, Jessica Dixon, Grandma in the White House: Legal Support for Intergenerational Caregiving (January 14, 2013). 43 Seton Hall L. Rev. 1 (2013), SMU Dedman School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 119, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2200277

    A World Fit for Children Is a World Fit for Everyone

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2022 39:47


    Professor Barbara Bennett Woodhouse discusses her career trajectory, ecogenerism, her hopes for the future of child rights and more in this interview.

    Police Misconduct - From Apples to Orchards

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 20:18


    VHC postdoc Jennifer Hickey uses vulnerability theory to offer a unique assessment of the systemic issues that impact police misconduct in her recently published article, “From Apples to Orchards: A Vulnerability Approach to Police Misconduct.” In this interview, Hickey reflects on the article — written in the thick of the Black Lives Matter movement — and describes innovative ways of approaching police misconduct.

    Public Health as a Collaborative Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2021 32:59


    Jody Wood is an artist and social practitioner who uses art to make dependence visible. Listen to her discuss her inspirations and projects including “Beauty in Transition,” “Choreographing Care,” and “Social Pharmacy.”

    Human Behavior, Legal Doctrine and Policy Design

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 36:34


    Professor Richard Daynard of Northeastern University School of Law discusses taking on the tobacco industry, the importance of emotion to humanity, and dispelling the notion of the rational actor.

    Resilience Drainage - An Interview with Hila Keren

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 18:04


    This episode of Voices in Vulnerability features a conversation with Professor Hila Keren about her recent piece for the LPE symposium on vulnerability theory organized by Professor Keren, Martha McCluskey, and Ronit Kedar. Listen to Professor Keren discuss emotional resilience and the duty of the law to cultivate positive emotions. Read the piece here: https://lpeproject.org/blog/resilience-drainage-and-the-role-of-private-law/

    Water Access in Kenya

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 27:28


    This interview with Dr. Atieno Mboya Samandari explores her activities in Kenya as a Fulbright scholar. Listen to learn about her research into water access for women and girls, surviving the pandemic, and more.

    Back to School with a Delta Difference

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 38:03


    VHC Postdoctoral Fellow Jennifer Hickey discusses government mistrust, social responsibility, institutional responsiveness, and what it's like to come back to work as the delta variant becomes ubiquitous.

    Deborah Dinner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 24:35


    Listen to Deborah Dinner explain how vulnerability theory informs her work as a legal historian.

    Interview with Legal Historian Deborah Dinner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 24:35


    Listen to Deborah Dinner explain how she uses vulnerability theory in her work as a legal historian.

    "You're Never Too Old To Do What You Want"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 35:29


    Jennifer Hickey and Mangala Kanayson discuss their respective career paths, touch on emotional regulation, teaching in higher education, and the importance of emotion in the classroom.

    A vulnerability analysis: Theorizing the impact of artificial intelligence decision-making

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 30:23


    "What is artificial intelligence? How will the automation of the decision-making process impact individuals and communities who have historically experienced disadvantage and marginalisation? Why does the use of artificial intelligence decision-making processes result in what Eugenia Eubanks refers to as the automation of inequality? When is the use of artificial intelligence technology valuable? This podcast examines these questions from the vantage point of Martha Fineman’s vulnerability theory."

    Transcending the Boundaries of Law - An Interview with Risa Lieberwitz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2021 32:53


    Professor Risa L. Lieberwitz speaks about the significance of the book, "Transcending the Boundaries of Law: Generations of Feminism and Legal Theory." Transcending the Boundaries of Law: https://www.routledge.com/Transcending-the-Boundaries-of-Law-Generations-of-Feminism-and-Legal-Theory/Fineman/p/book/9780415481403

    Feminism Confronts Homo Economicus - An Interview with Martha McCluskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 36:13


    "What is the economy? Who is it? It's not an abstract thing out there. It's how people negotiate their daily lives." "How can we re-imagine economic growth and economic well-being? how can we make that something that is real and takes us away from a constant crisis and that gives people hope and faith in community, in democracy, rather than...going into more and more divisiveness? "The vision of vulnerability that MF offers gives us a way to rethink the economy in a way that would bring us together and move us through some of these...incredible challenges that we face today. This interview with Professor Martha T. McCluskey discusses her work and involvement with the Feminism and Legal Theory Project, and her contribution to the collection, "Feminism Confronts Homo Economicus: Gender, Law, and Society." https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801489419/feminism-confronts-homo-economicus/

    Women's History Month: Exploring Masculinities - Asking the Man Question

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 32:29


    This interview with Professor Nancy E. Dowd touches on the impact of "Exploring Masculinities: Feminist Legal Theory Reflections," edited by Martha Albertson Fineman and Michael Thomson. We also discuss the recent shootings in Atlanta, the killing of George Floyd, and the storming of the capitol on January 6. Exploring Masculinities: Feminist Legal Theory Reflections https://www.routledge.com/Exploring-Masculinities-Feminist-Legal-Theory-Reflections/Fineman-Thomson/p/book/9781472415127

    Women's History Month: Jack Jackson on Feminism and Queer Legal Theory

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 20:43


    Professor Jack Jackson of Whitman College speaks about his involvement with the Feminism and Legal Theory Project over the years. Books mentioned: Feminist and Queer Legal Theory: Intimate Encounters, Uncomfortable Conversations edited by Martha Albertson Fineman, Jack E. Jackson, Adam P. Romero Available at https://www.routledge.com/Feminist-and-Queer-Legal-Theory-Intimate-Encounters-Uncomfortable-Conversations/Fineman-Jackson-Romero/p/book/9780754675525 'Law Without Future: Anti-Constitutional Politics and the American Right' by Jack Jackson Available at https://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/15945.html

    Virtual Visiting Scholar, Lua K. Yuille

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2021 25:59


    Listen to an interview with Professor Lua K. Yuille, the very first virtual VHC visiting scholar.

    Academic Activism with Professor Risa Lieberwitz - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2021 29:07


    "Labor has the numbers. If they have solidarity then they can make collective demands, but it means seeing our common interest as opposed to believing what's coming in from conservative or reactionary governments..." - Prof. Risa Lieberwitz Listen to part 2 of our interview with Risa Lieberwitz, Professor of Labor and Employment Law in the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).

    Academic Activism with Professor Risa Lieberwitz - Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021 27:14


    Professor Risa Lieberwitz talks about academic activism, the corporatization of higher education, and vulnerability theory. Ever struggled finding your stride as an academic activist? Have you wondered what institutional vulnerability looks like? This is the episode for you.

    Empowering Women Through the Law - an Interview With Dr. Atieno Mboya

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2020 14:35


    Dr. Atieno Mboya discusses her recent publication, "Empowering Women Through the Law." Her global perspective and wide lens allow us to recognize patterns and connections between changes in the law and social movements. Dr. Mboya's article: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-319-70060-1_146-1

    Dr. Dehaghani on the British Society of Criminology Vulnerability Research Network

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 28:43


    Interested in criminal law and vulnerability theory? Ever wanted to join or create a research network? Learn from Dr. Roxanna Dehaghani about the birth and benefits of the new British Society of Criminology Vulnerability Research Network! Dr. Dehaghani's Profile: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/924047-dehaghani-roxanna Dr. Dehaghani's SSRN Page: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2612536 Website: https://www.britsoccrim.org/networks/vrn/

    A History of Regulating Working Families - Interview with Authors, Nicole Busby and Grace James

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 37:26


    Authors Nicole Busby and Grace James discuss their new book, 'A History of Regulating Working Families: Strains, Stereotypes, Strategies and Solutions.' Find their book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/a-history-of-regulating-working-families-9781849465571/

    Vulnerability and Public Procurement

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 30:57


    An interview with Dr. S.N. Nyeck regarding her recent publication "Gender Equality in Public Procurement," the first paper to bring vulnerability theory to the study of public procurement. "The government or the state must be responsive and responsible in dealing with the private sector and the public must hold both the state and its contractors accountable." Read the paper here: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_1598-1

    Vulnerability Theory and Health Law - An Interview with Matthew B. Lawrence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2020 43:40


    Listen to health law scholar Matthew B. Lawrence discuss how vulnerability theory frames his approach to teaching, research, and analysis. Sources mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Healthism-Health-Status-Discrimination-Jessica-Roberts/dp/1316613429/ref=nodl_ https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674972162&content=bios https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3389481 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3191031 Workshop: https://web.gs.emory.edu/vulnerability/_includes/documents/workshop-schedules/2019%20Schedule%20_January%202019.pdf

    Bowling Alone in Georgia - An Interview with Jennifer Hickey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 40:31


    An Interview with Jennifer Hickey, Postdoctoral Fellow about her recent op-ed "Bowling Alone in Georgia."

    Interview with Dr. Ellen Gordon-Bouvier

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 44:20


    An interview with Dr. Ellen Gordon-Bouvier of Oxford Brookes University.

    Responsive State v. Responsive Polis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 28:33


    Listen to our remote interview about the COVID-19 pandemic with Postdoctoral Fellow, Jennifer Hickey.

    Free Speech on Campus - An Interview with Sasha Volokh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2020 36:53


    This interview with Sasha Volokh, Associate Professor of Law at Emory University and Chair of Emory University's Open Expression Committee, covers the basics of free speech on public/private university campuses and the constitutional right to free speech.

    Vulnerability and Birth Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 28:25


    Our interview with Jennifer Hickey touches on birth justice, technology, and the necessity of vulnerability theory.

    Vulnerability Theory and the Environment with Dr. Atieno Mboya

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2019 23:03


    Our interview with Dr. Mboya explores vulnerability theory and environmentalism at the state level.

    Interview with Dr. Stu Marvel

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2019 22:43


    Hear Dr. Stu Marvel talk about vulnerability theory and her research in reproductive technology, kinship, and more.

    Interview with Dr. S.N. Nyeck

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2019 33:55


    "What is the future of Democracy when governance is done by contracts?" Meet visiting scholar Dr. S.N. Nyeck and learn about her research into public procurement and government outsourcing. You can find her book here: https://www.palgrave.com/us/book/9781137521361.

    What is Vulnerability Theory? An Interview with Martha Fineman

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2019 31:53


    Martha Fineman on vulnerability theory.

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