Melisa Tatiana Slep

Profile

PhD research

Working Title

Spatial politics of feminist activism and abortion access after decriminalisation in Argentina

Summary

Through the project, I aim to contribute to feminist political geographies in Latin America, social movements literature, and abortion research with a subnational focus. The objective is to enquire on the role that feminism(s) at the subnational level in contemporary Argentina have in a post-legalisation scenario, following activists’ abortion strategies and modes of engagement and their role in public policy implementation of abortion services against diverse local contexts, actors and networks.

This research will entail an in-depth case study of the dynamics of interaction between the feminist abortion movement and public institutions in the province of Río Negro (Argentina) through the lens of abortion access in a post-decriminalisation scenario.

Supervisors

• Sam Halvorsen
• Sydney Calkin.

Funding

• Queen Mary University of London HSS Principal’s Research Studentship for tuition fees and living expenses

Academic background

• Bsc in Political Science. Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
• Msc in Development Management. The London School of Economics and Political Science.
• International Relations at Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (Italy).

Professional background

I have over 10 years of experience consulting for the public sector and NGOs, on topics such as Latin American migration in Europe, local economic development, internationalisation and descentralised cooperation for subnational governments, vulnerable youth, knowledge-based enterprises and gender and public policies.

Research interests

Sexual and reproductive health and rights, in particular safe abortion access; feminist movements and organisations; Latin America (with a focus on the Southern Cone and Argentina in particular); gender mainstreaming in public policies; subnational studies; international cooperation.

Research