Dr. Irene Hanson Frieze, a professor of psychology, business administration and women’s studies at the University of Pittsburgh, will speak at West Virginia University on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at noon in the Greenbrier Room of the Mountainlair.

Her lecture is titled, “Rethinking Violence in Close Relationships: What does the research really say?” The presentation builds from concepts in her book “Hurting the One You Love” which explores violence in intimate relationships, including domestic violence, rape, stalking, incest, child abuse and sexual harassment.

Frieze will examine the history of research on battered women, as well as current analyses of dating and intimate partner violence. She will offer her explanations about why these analyses are so controversial and outline scientific understanding of the dynamics of intimate partner violence. Also, she will discuss policy implications on gender-based violence.

“Dr. Frieze is a well-respected scholar in the field of gender psychology,” said Dr. Ann Oberhauser, director of the Center for Women’s Studies. “The Center has invited her to speak because her work on sexual violence and date rape is relevant to campus life and coincides with programs offered through the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center and WELLWVU.”

Frieze received her doctorate from the University of California in Los Angeles. She is the former director of the women’s studies program at the University of Pittsburgh and has received many honors and awards, including the 2009 “Pioneer in Feminist Psychology” from the Association for Women in Psychology. Her work is published widely in many prestigious journals, as well as in several books such as “Women and Sex Roles: A Social Psychological Perspective” and “Stalking: Perspectives on Victims and Perpetrators.”

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The Center for Women’s Studies supports teaching, research and advocacy that is based on feminist perspectives and centered on analyses of gender and its intersection with race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, age and ability.

—WVU—

11/08/11

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CONTACT: Megan Denny
(724) 833-7848; mdenny@mix.wvu.edu