معرفی
Anaïs Bohuon is a Professor of Sociology and History of Sport at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Paris-Saclay. She is also Co-responsible of the SCOS research team. Her academic career has focused on examining the intersection of gender, sports, and the body through historical and sociological lenses.
Bohuon obtained her PhD in December 2008 from the University of Paris-Saclay (then University Paris-Sud), with research focusing on medical discourses and women's access to physical and sporting activities between 1880-1922. Her work has established her as a leading expert on gender verification practices in sports, particularly the controversial femininity tests that have been imposed on female athletes since 1966.
Her research adopts a multidisciplinary approach at the crossroads of history, sociology, and medical studies. She examines how sports have served as sites for the naturalization of gender power relations, with particular attention to how medical discourse has shaped women's participation in athletics. Her work reveals the genealogy of contemporary femininity norms by studying the historical techniques applied to the body. Bohuon frequently collaborates with historian Grégory Quin, and together they explore how muscles have contributed to the construction of 'sex' and contemporary definitions of sexual difference.
Analysis of Bohuon's publications reveals consistent focus on gender verification practices, the historical construction of sex categories in sports, and the intersection of gender with race and class in athletic contexts. Her work spans sports history from the 19th century to contemporary issues, particularly examining how medical power has been exercised through sports institutions to regulate bodies according to gender norms.
Bohuon is actively engaged in public discourse on gender and sports, frequently participating in conferences, media appearances, and public events. She has contributed to popular media projects like the series 'SPORTIVE' that addresses gender equality in sports, and has been featured in numerous radio broadcasts and documentaries, including ARTE's 'Toutes musclées' (2022) and discussions about the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Her scholarly work extends beyond traditional academic publications to include significant public engagement. She regularly collaborates with media outlets, participates in cultural events related to the Paris 2024 Olympics, and contributes to educational initiatives aimed at addressing gender stereotypes in sports. Her research has practical implications for contemporary sports policy, particularly regarding transgender and intersex athlete inclusion.
