Archives, Memory, and the Cultural Politics of HIV/AIDS

2–4 February 2026 | University of St. Gallen & University of Zurich

Organisers: Todd Sekuler (University of Zurich) and Alexander Meienberger (University of St. Gallen).

This interdisciplinary workshop brings together scholars from the humanities and social sciences to explore how HIV/AIDS is remembered, archived, and represented across different cultural contexts. Focusing on the intersections of archives, memory, and the cultural politics of HIV/AIDS, participants will discuss literary, historical, artistic, medical, and activist perspectives on the epidemic. The workshop aims to foster critical dialogue on visibility, stigma, care, and political agency, and to examine how cultural memory shapes contemporary understandings of HIV/AIDS.

Organised by: European HIV/AIDS Research Network, Center for Governance and Culture in Europe (University of St. Gallen), and Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (University of Zurich).

Financed by: Swiss National Science Foundation, Center for Governance and Culture in Europe (University of St. Gallen), and Committee for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (University of St. Gallen)

In cooperation with: Department for East European Studies (University of St. Gallen), Department of Medical Humanities and French Studies, (University of St. Gallen), Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (University of Zurich), School of Medicine (University of St. Gallen), and Forum for Medical Humanities (University of St. Gallen & University of Zurich).