Dr Koen Slootmaeckers is a Reader in Worldwide Politics at Metropolis St George’s, College of London. He’s the EDI officer and trustee for UACES. He has beforehand held management roles in skilled associations as co-chair and govt board member of the Council of European Research’ Gender and Sexuality Analysis Community. As a global political sociologist, Koen’s analysis is broadly targeted on the methods by which boundaries, inclusion and exclusion are maintained in society and inside worldwide relations. He has completed in depth analysis on the promotion of and resistance to LGBT equality in worldwide politics. Koen has extensively researched the EU accession of Serbia and the way this course of impacts LGBT politics and activism. This analysis finally culminated in his guide ‘Coming In: Sexual politics and EU accession in Serbia’ (2023, Manchester College Press), for which he was awarded the 2025 EUSA Finest E book Prize. His present analysis focuses on the place of Satisfaction occasions throughout the LGBTI motion and engages in a number of theoretical querying of various politics embedded in Satisfaction. For instance, he has printed on the geo-temporalities of Satisfaction (with Mike Bosia). Different latest publications embrace: a bit analyzing the sudden politics of ILGA-Europe’s rainbow maps (with Francesca Ammaturo), a bit analyzing the function of LGBT rights throughout the EU’s id processes, and relational theorisation of the methods by which masculinities and nationalism as intertwined.
The place do you see probably the most thrilling analysis/debates occurring in your discipline?
To be sincere, I discover this in all probability probably the most troublesome query one can ask me. One, as a result of it makes me query whether or not I do belong to a discipline or whether or not I even know a discipline. As a scholar who has moved disciplines over the course of my profession and now fortunately sits throughout the liminal area of disciplinary boundaries in addition to topic issues, I battle to determine what could be probably the most thrilling analysis. That being mentioned, I do suppose there’s a political want to focus on a number of the work that’s being completed throughout the sphere of intercourse and sexuality at a time when the area for doing this work is more and more beneath assault. To me, the thrill comes from the brand new era of students rising that stay adamant to question the world and to problem energy by interrogating how gender and sexuality form our collective and the world. Seeing a brand new era query what has been taken with no consideration to and keep daring of their willpower to problem buildings of energy to generate one thing new is what offers me hope and pleasure. That is much more significant and essential, I imagine, as we reside in a world the place points and sexuality are more and more put beneath stress and are available beneath intense political scrutiny and cruel political assaults – each inside our on a regular basis (by the dismantling of Equality Range and Inclusion work by Trump, or the banning of Satisfaction by Orban) and the Academy (by the so-called gender vital students and people utilizing educational freedom to stifle progressive politics).
But when I had been to reply, I’d achieve this by excited about a number of the latest discussions, writings and publications which have stayed with me over the previous few years. Amongst these, I believe it’s extremely essential to question a number of the methods by which sexuality is used inside worldwide politics. Right here, I take into consideration the sort of politics pursued by the anti-gender motion/campaigns who interact in a wider worldwide politics of what Dean Cooper-Cunningham (forthcoming) would name, “heteronormative internationalism”, but additionally the methods by which sexuality is folded into politics of modernity that creates new, and reinforces outdated, hierarchies. Right here, I take into consideration the work that unpacks and showcases the alternative ways by which the embrace of LGBTQI rights by the EU has been folded into quite a lot of different politics. For instance, the work by Laura Eigenmann who superbly excavated the evolution and elevation of LGBTQI rights throughout the EU’s id work, while additionally querying how this course of has formed how the EU imagines LGBTQI equality inside a homonormative venture. Or the work by Lucrecia Rubio Grundell, who, in one of the good items of I’ve learn through the years, argued that the inclusion of LGBT rights throughout the EU venture occurred on the again of intercourse employees. With nice grace, she demonstrates how the EU’s LGBTI insurance policies exclude intercourse work as a constitutive different in order that the neoliberal and homonormative sexual topic of rights and new sexual respectability may very well be constructed – a topic worthy of safety by the EU.
I’m additionally at all times tremendous excited to learn the superb work on sexual violence in warfare time, and significantly the work on battle associated sexual violence in opposition to males and boys by Heleen Touquet, Philipp Schulz, Henri Myrtinnen, and others. Their new Routledge Handbook of Masculinities, Battle, and Peacebuilding is a should learn, as are their reflection on self-care for students engaged on gender-based violence points.
How has the way in which you perceive the world modified over time, and what (or who) prompted probably the most vital shifts in your pondering?
My pondering has modified rather a lot over time and there have been many influences which have formed me – each via encounters in my profession in addition to the liberty that job safety has given me to belief myself and begin believing in my very own views and path. I see academia and scholarly work as a collective endeavour, the place we are able to every obtain extra if we help and be taught from one another. As such, I imagine my world view is formed by the unimaginable encounters I’ve had through the years, particularly these coming from the various implausible feminist and queer students I’ve met through the years. There are too many to call, however I do wish to spotlight some, as their affect in my educational profession and my pondering are deeply felt. My conversations with Heleen Touquet have at all times been ones of mental cross-fertilisation, however Heleen is the one who, in some ways, not solely opened the door for me to the Balkan area (a spot by which I discovered myself) but additionally made me really feel that there’s area for my vital pondering. Phillip Ayoub has been a core function in my work and has been such a sort determine inside queer IR and EU research – he really embodies what a sort academia can seem like, and I attempt to comply with the instance set by him. Equally, Francesca Romana Ammaturo’s work on The Pink Agenda has been foundational to my excited about homonationalism throughout the EU. Studying her work gave me the phrases wanted to grasp my very own analysis and assembly her generated a tutorial friendship the place we flourish collectively. Furthermore, her reminder to permit myself to jot down my very own story into my work has been such a key second for the way in which I believe. Equally, the friendship and intense conversations on queer politics with Dean Cooper-Cunningham, in addition to his work usually, not solely carried me via the occasions I burned-out, however have additionally been instrumental find my very own queer politics.
If I had been to explain one foundational second, I’d say it after I found the phrases for my relational ontology. The seeds to my world view had been in all probability embedded as a part of my preliminary coaching as a sociologist (I believe the sociological lens fairly lends itself to relational pondering) but it by no means actually had an energetic place inside my work as I used to be too wrapped up in dominant (positivist) narratives of what good science would seem like – maybe I used to be too targeted on what I although was required of me. It was not till my PhD examiners, professors Kelly Kollman and Denisa Kostovicova, pointed me in direction of the observe flip in IR (which led me to relational IR and relational sociology) that I discovered the phrases that described how I see the world. The next ‘aha’-moment I skilled has been revolutionary for my work and my pondering. Abruptly, all of the tensions I skilled made sense, particularly as I used the observe flip as a leaping off level to embrace relational approaches to IR. From then onwards, I had discovered my very own mental homebase.
While this has been a profound second in my mental journey, I typically discover new methods of pondering from probably the most random locations – whether or not it’s the medical work my brother does as a therapist or whether or not it’s via my vacation studying of excessive fantasy novels. Whereas the primary is shaping my present work, the latter, and in significantly Raymond E. Feist’s novel Magician’s Finish, has had profound affect on my conceptualisation of time and the way time shapes politics – finally leading to a bit I co-wrote on the Geo-Temporalities of Satisfaction.
How are LGBTQ+ politics being utilized by EU politicians, each on the suitable and left aspect of the spectrum, to serve their agendas?
The concept LGBTQ+ politics have been actively utilized by EU politicians on either side of the isle is maybe a powerful assertion. After all, I do suppose LGBTQ+ points have turn out to be a key enviornment by which politics are being created and generated, as we see a transparent level of contestation over LGBTQ+ rights. For instance, LGBTQ+ rights is likely one of the areas via which the that means of so-called European values is contested throughout the EU buildings. I’d supply a little bit of warning to this sweeping assertion, nonetheless, as a result of to say that LGBTQ+ points are utilized by each sort of actors – regardless that it does occur – would erase the work by these politicians who genuinely search to enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. Nonetheless, as a result of they’re located throughout the complicated set of relations between these contesting the homonationalist second and people embracing it, LGBTQ+ politics inevitably (whether or not deliberately or not) serve the operate of demarking boundaries between completely different teams. Whereas progressive voices’ help for LGBTQ+ rights (whether or not instrumental or real) is commonly voiced via a declarative and constitutive homophobic Different (whether or not or not it’s Russia, Jap Europe, or others), anti-gender campaigns and different voices equally categorical their help for so-called household values via the opposition of a constitutive ‘perverse’/oversexualised Different. What finally ends up occurring is that the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals turn out to be embroiled and captured in greater political initiatives (whether or not they’re nationalist and/or racist initiatives). We’re caught in a interval by which seemingly greater civilisational politics are performed out on the our bodies of queer individuals. And I believe it will be important we develop analytical instruments and methods of describing this that don’t reproduce these processes – to keep away from our educational evaluation provides to the construction of violence to which queer individuals are at the moment subjected.
Are LGBTQ+ politics at the moment related within the EU’s political panorama, or are they being deserted? Why is that this the case?
Due to what I defined above, I believe LGBTQ+ politics are very central to the EU’s political agenda – no less than discursively. That is maybe greatest proven by the present dispute between the European Fee and Hungary over its so-called anti-gay propaganda regulation. The present courtroom case between the Fee and Hungary over this regulation is important, as it’s the first that actively makes use of Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union (which outlined, albeit vaguely, the EU’s values) in an infringement process. As I defined elsewhere, the result of this case could have vital penalties for LGBTQ+ politics within the EU and the function of values throughout the EU’s structure. If the EU had hoped this case would dampen Hungary’s assault on LGBTQ+ individuals, it appeared to have been misguided, as Orban has escalated his anti-LGBTQ+ politics by purposefully defying the EU and banning any public meeting that violates the regulation on the safety of kids (and thus successfully banning Satisfaction). This episode clearly demonstrates that LGBTQ+ politics is central inside wider EU politics and is the present battle floor to outline the way forward for the EU.
But, while LGBTQ+ rights have taken up a really symbolic area throughout the EU, we additionally witness the downgrading of equality throughout the new Von Der Leyen Fee. After presiding over a fee that had dubbed the EU as a Union of Equality, the brand new Fee, at first look, appears to be much less dedicated to equality than earlier than. Now not is there a Commissioner solely answerable for Equality, because the Von Der Leyen II has mixed the Equality portfolio with a portfolio for ‘Preparedness and Disaster Administration’. While it’s but to be seen what this implies for the precise work completed by the Fee, what we’ve got already noticed is the withdrawal of the so-called horizontal anti-discrimination directive proposal. Though this proposal has been stalled for over 15 years within the Council, its withdrawal could sign that while LGBTQ+ rights are more and more symbolic in EU politics, the window for materials and legislative change appears to be closing.
Would you say that conservative anti-LGBTQ+ stances within the EU differ relying on the nation, or is it a unified, transnational motion?
Because the latest literature on anti-gender campaigns has been demonstrating, we are able to maybe take into consideration the opposition to LGBTQ+ and feminist politics as one thing modular. There are quite a lot of shared methods, techniques, discourses, and methods of mobilising, but international locations of their differing nationwide context have their very own particularities of how their campaigns unfold and what they aim. While I’d be reluctant to name them unified (as all of them have their very own nationwide initiatives), I do imagine we should always not underestimate how sturdy the transnational ties of those campaigns are, not solely when it comes to how they’re organised and the way they mobilise, but additionally when it comes to funding and political linkages. While an increasing number of students, together with one among my PhD college students, are actively learning the transnationalisation of those campaigns, I ponder whether we could ever totally know the scope of those hyperlinks, as these actors are extremely troublesome to analysis, and are in a position to maintain researchers out of their core internal workings.
What function does the ideological chasm on LGBTQ+ rights play in relations between conservative international locations, comparable to Meloni’s Italy, and extra socially liberal international locations, comparable to Macron’s France?
It is a troublesome query, and I suppose the reply would rely on who you’ll ask. I believe lots of these clinging on to the notion of a liberal worldwide order want to imagine that these chasms are essential components shaping worldwide politics and bilateral actions. Nonetheless, such hopes and assumptions depend on the truth that state actors have a powerful perception and attachment to LGBTQ+ rights and would act accordingly. Such perception, I’m afraid, could also be slightly naïve. Maybe I’m too sceptical of state actors proclaiming a pro-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, since too typically in worldwide relations, I’ve seen how normative stances are nothing greater than a shell, with little significant actions being taken. They too are sometimes performative and symbolic, slightly than actual convictions. So far as I’ve seen, LGBTQ+ rights are sometimes being sacrificed if different nationwide pursuits are threatened. So, I’m certain that ideological chasm performs an important function in bilateral relations (particularly as worldwide politics is at the moment deeply formed via such chasms), however I believe they could be much less about precise LGBTQ+ rights themselves and extra a couple of deeper operate of state energy – what which may be precisely will depend on the connection and context of mentioned relationship.
In your guide “Coming in” on LGBT rights in Serbia, you clarify that the EU promotes LGBTQ+ rights via its enlargement course of as a elementary proper for EU candidate-states. Has this course of been profitable? What extra can governments do to make sure these rights are revered?
The EU does certainly search to advertise LGBTQ+ rights as a part of the enlargement course of. In my work, I argue that we should always step away from an EU-centred evaluation of the event of LGBT rights and politics in candidate international locations. That is significantly essential, as a result of assuming that it’s the EU that’s answerable for the adoption of LGBT rights in candidate international locations shortly erases the arduous work being completed by the nation’s activists, typically having began lengthy earlier than the EU entered the political enviornment. Sure, in fact the EU enlargement course of has been key for a lot of activists to achieve entry to governments and to have the ability to get essential legal guidelines on the books. Nonetheless, solely focussing on the authorized developments is limiting, for my part.
In my guide, I argue for a relational conceptualisation of the EU enlargement course of, in order to stress the political nature of the method. I name Europeanisation a means of negotiated transitions. Negotiated, not as a result of the method includes formal negotiations, however slightly as a result of via the connection between the EU and candidate international locations, the content material and that means of LGBTQ+ rights/politics are negotiated. This push and pull course of, and the alternative ways by which each the EU and Serbia have engaged with one another when tensions on LGBTQ+ points arose, have created a political contest by which LGBTQ+ rights and their that means have turn out to be hollowed out and instrumentalised by each events. This politicisation of LGBTQ+ rights and the way in which by which the Serbian authorities engages in double-speak by which it internationally seemingly complies with EU requests, but domestically ramps up its heteronormative and nationalist political venture, has actual penalties for LGBTQ+ individuals within the nation. Certainly, in recent times, we’ve got seen a severe improve in violence in opposition to the queer neighborhood.
As such, in my guide, I argue that “as students [of political science and IR], we should recentre our consideration on the individuals about whom we write, their expertise and their realities, as progress in regulation and not using a change of their lived expertise stays hypothetical.” (p.14)
What had been the important thing components within the improvement of the LGBTQ+ motion throughout the EU?
What motion are we speaking about? Are we speaking about actions inside international locations or are we speaking concerning the European degree motion? I’m not certain I’m the suitable particular person to pin-point the important thing components within the motion, however there are definitely some tensions and points which might be price excited about when contemplating the place the motion goes subsequent. The primary and most evident concern is the pervasiveness of anti-gender campaigns and the way anti-EDI politics actively seeks to reverse a number of the latest good points made. Which means cross-cause solidarity shall be an important concern for many actions, as a way to discover methods to counter the political assaults on our rights and the elevated social positions. Such solidarity is extremely essential contemplating the divide and conquer techniques which might be being performed by these opposing gender points. For instance, the unfold of gender vital propaganda and the mainstreaming via which trans* lives are erased from social life beneath the guise of defending girls is actively creating the notion that there’s a zero-sum recreation to be performed by which enhancements within the liveability of trans* lives come at prices of ladies. After all, we all know this isn’t the case. Anybody paying shut consideration to anti-trans politics can see that what is actually occurring is an intense battle attempting to outline womanhood – to not defend girls, however to regulate girls’s our bodies.
To beat the divide and conquer techniques getting used in opposition to us, we have to not solely counter them, but additionally short-circuit the facility buildings that feed them. We’d like new politics that see the varied energy buildings of oppression as intertwined and a shared goal. We have to see that the way in which we’ve got made progress previously has been on the again of others. We are able to not depend on attempting to fold individuals into the safety of an in any other case violent system – as a substitute we should give you an alternate. Within the time we’re at the moment dwelling in, it’s time we develop a politics that creates a future by which all of us can thrive.
What’s an important recommendation you can give to younger students of Worldwide Relations?
With academia being the extractive establishment it’s (and more and more extra so given the dire state of upper schooling throughout many contexts), I believe you will need to know for your self what sacrifices you’re keen to make and which of them you aren’t. I don’t say this to be doom and gloomy, however slightly as a result of I wish to use it as a place to begin for advocating for self-care in a single’s pursuit of scholarship. As a result of our scholarship is so private, we regularly expertise rejections as one thing deeply private – skilled failures or setbacks alongside the way in which are simply skilled as a sign of private price, as a mirrored image that we don’t belong.
I’d advocate for younger students to seek out energy in their very own work and their pondering. The self-discipline has its method of creeping in and making you are feeling that what you’re doing is probably not IR sufficient, and there’ll at all times be voices that may make you are feeling that you’re not ok or that what you do will not be price pursuing, significantly in the event you come from marginalised backgrounds or work on subjects associated to difficult current energy buildings (whether or not they be racial, gendered, or based mostly on sexuality). And while this can be true, there shall be no less than an equal quantity of people that shall be championing your work, and present and remind you of your price. So, my second piece of recommendation could be to hunt your personal little neighborhood of care and mutual help in academia. Discover your bubble the place you are feeling secure, the place you may discover and the place you will be susceptible along with your concepts. And above all, pay attention, really feel and settle for when individuals are singing your reward. It’s straightforward to deal with the adverse, however that is the place academia will get us – we should imagine in ourselves to generate change.
This brings me to a 3rd bit of recommendation – don’t observe the academia that’s (the place we are sometimes anticipated to construct our personal profession by tearing down another person; or the place we imagine concepts work inside a zero-sum recreation). As a substitute, observe the academia that you really want it to be. Draw on these feminist or queer practices which might be rooted in love and care. Rejoice colleagues’ successes, and share in failures and supply help the place wanted. Collectively we are able to stand tall and be a spark of change. I’ve such hopes for a sort academia, and I imagine all of it begins with ourselves.
After all, this recommendation is maybe derived from my hopes and aspirations for academia, and I’m conscious that it might not at all times be straightforward to remind ourselves of them. In reality, I battle with them on an on a regular basis foundation. Being on restoration from a burn-out, working towards kindness to myself is a steady battle – so is the necessity to discover methods to not reproduce the violences inherently embedded throughout the educational construction. Kindness is figure, and we get it mistaken as we inevitably trigger hurt, even when being well-meaning. Fortunately, I’ve surrounded myself with my educational buddies and co-travellers who’re keen to level out after I err in my observe, and supply help and safety to be taught from errors. By working towards vulnerability and kindness, I do imagine we are able to make a change.
Thus, belief in your self (don’t let the self-discipline self-discipline you), be variety to your self and others, and above all, discover (or construct) your neighborhood in which you’ll observe the academy you want we had, not the one we’re at the moment dwelling in. And every time you’ll be able to, pay it ahead and be a drive of fine within the academy, and keep humble alongside the way in which.
Additional Studying on E-Worldwide Relations
