History of the Beard Society

Formation

Formed in 2012, Peterhouse's Beard Society has for the last ten years been a space for feminist discussion. Proudly inclusive and intersectional, we aim to highlight feminist research and activist work in Cambridge and beyond.

Legend has it that the Society's name comes from the donning by women of fake beards to attend the meetings of the learned societies closed to them.As the putting on of the beard both mocked and rebelled against women's exclusion from spaces of intellectual discussion, so do we hope to mock and subvert the systems still in place that exclude and subjugate women and others of marginalised genders.

Past Guests

Since its inception, the Beard Society has prided itself in presenting a vast range of speakers without ceding nuance. In the past we have hosted talks on feminist poetry, body image and the female nude, as well as more niche topics, such as medieval attitudes towards menstruation. Our guests have included: representatives from the Focus E15 Campaign fighting for affordable housing in London; politician and trans activist Sarah Brown; academic and Peterhouse Fellow Dr Jennifer Wallace; and artist and founding member of the London Drawing Group Luisa-Maria MacCormack.

Last Lent, after the Society's return from its two-year hiatus, we hosted Yasmin Benoit (model and asexuality activist), Dr Eleanor Janega (author and medieval historian), and Brenda Davies (@GodIsGrey). Wishing to bring together like-minded members of the Peterhouse community, we also hosted social events, such as a clay-working workshop.Have a browse through our past events, let us know what you think, and make sure to join us for future talks and socials!

• Our Events Page