Bodily Autonomy and Consent

Each of us navigates bodily autonomy and consent daily – in making medical decisions, engaging in romantic relationships, or simply letting someone borrow a pen from our desk. In recent years, a spotlight has been shined on both of this track’s focus issues in the wake of major news stories and policy decisions. 

The #MeToo movement raised our consciousness about the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment in workplace settings. The 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court case put decisions about access to abortions into the hands of the state. The debate about trans individuals and their access to gender-affirming surgeries made us think about the intersections between healthcare and identity. 

Fellows will spend four weeks examining these issues (and many more!) through a holistic and bi-partisan lens, focusing on how policies can have a deeply personal impact on an individuals’ well-being and safety.