Join Dr. Valeria Fabj, Professor of Communication, for a presentation of her research on the controversy surrounding forced sterilizations of Peruvian women under the Fujimori regime (1995-2001). Dr. Fabj traveled to Peru last semester and interviewed victims of forced sterilizations as well as members of various human rights organizations who are advocating for this population. Her research was supported by the Kathleen Cheek-Milby Faculty Fellowship. 

Valeria Fabj is the former editor of "Women's Studies in Communication." Her research focuses on the public sphere as a forum in which traditionally marginalized groups can gain a voice and affect public praxis. Her belief is that citizens can be empowered and reclaim some of the decision-making power that is often abdicated to experts. Fabj focuses on two primary areas: how marginalized groups, and especially women, can draw on the personal sphere to bring about significant changes in the public sphere (both in this country and abroad), and how issues can be argued in different spheres as in the case of medical activists who politicize issues traditionally relegated to the technical sphere.