Preview: Skeptics in The Pub Presents “XX/XY – not always what you think” with Dr. Jane Stewart  

On Thursday the 13th of November, Skeptics in The Pub presents “XX/XY – not always what you think” with Dr. Jane Stewart, at the Tyneside Irish Centre. The talk, led by Dr. Stewart, tackles the topic of gender, and how widely and increasingly complex it has become. The talk will explore how the biological and physical constructs of sex (traditionally framed as XX for female and XY for male) are far more complex than most of us realise. She will draw on her career in reproductive medicine and her work in trans-people’s health to discuss several issues. Some of these include: Cases where development doesn’t follow the binary model, and the wider implications for sexuality, gender dysphoria and how we understand sex in medical and social contexts. 

This is a brilliantly unique opportunity to hear from an expert in the field of medical sciences, who has been involved in cutting-edge treatments as well as advocacy in fertility and trans health (including the first licence for mitochondrial replacement treatment). 

If you are curious about how science, medicine, and identity intersect in the modern world, or simply want to join a discussion that challenges common assumptions, then this talk promises to be both informative and engaging. Dr Stewart frames this discussion in an empowering way, which allows for not only education, but also reflection and empathy. By doing so, she empowers both professionals and the public to engage with science as a tool for inclusion rather than division.