The Weight Stigma Conference is an inter-disciplinary event that brings together scholars and practitioners from a range of backgrounds (e.g., public health, government and public policy, psychology, medicine, sociology, anthropology, allied health professions, education, sports and exercise science, social sciences, media studies, business, law, activism, and the lay public) to consider research, policy, rhetoric, and practice around the issue of weight stigma. For more information, visit: weightstigmaconference.com

We are honoured to present our keynote speakers for this year's Weight Stigma Conference:

• Shilo George, MS (she/they) a Southern Cheyenne-Arapaho and Irish/Scottish international speaker and owner of Łush Kumtux Tumtum Consulting, which means “a great awakening of the heart and spirit” in the Chinuk Wawa trade language. Her consulting work covers trauma informed practices and how those practices align with and support anti-racist and anti-oppression work within organizations and communities. Shilo believes it’s imperative that organizations and institutions must become aware and be accountable for the barriers and harm that are relentlessly perpetuating against targeted communities. Then creatively and courageously rethink policies, practices, and procedures to create truly welcoming, just, and healing spaces, programs, and organizational cultures. She received her BSc in Art Practices in 2012 and an MSc in Educational Leadership and Policy with aSpecialization in Post-Secondary and Adult Continuing Education in 2017, both from Portland State University.

• Tigress Osborn (she/her) is the Chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). Founded in 1969 in the US, NAAFA is the world’s oldest documented fat rights advocacy organization. As leader of the most diverse board in NAAFA’s 54-year history, Tigress has championed an intersectional approach to fighting anti-fatness through education, advocacy, and support, with work featured in USA Today, Huffington Post, and Newsweek, and heard on BBC AntiSocial and ABC News. Tigress founded Full Figure Entertainment in 2008 in Oakland, CA, and co-founded the PHX Fat Force in AZ in 2019. Tigress is a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) consultant and educator whose clients have ranged from major tech companies to small non-profits. She is a two-time women's college graduate with a BA in Black Studies from Smith College and an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College. Follow Tigress @iofthetigress on your favorite social media.

• Dr Joy Cox is an organizational communication scholar and social justice advocate using her skill set in research and leadership to foster social change through the promotion of REAL diversity and inclusion initiatives. A McNair Scholar alum, Joy is a first-generation college student, being the first in her family to receive a Master’s degree and Ph.D. With over 10 years of experience in qualitative and quantitative research, much of her work has focused on matters of intersectionality addressing race, body size, accessibility, and “health” within the context of body acceptance and fat liberation. Joy has utilized methods in interviewing, surveys, experiments, participant observations, focus groups, and photovoice. She has led research projects in academia as well in industry providing meaningful insights across cross-functional teams. In 2020, Joy published her first memoir and love letter to the
  fat Black community entitled, “Fat Girls in Black Bodies: Creating Communities of Own via North Atlantic Books. Her work since has been featured in the New York Times, on CNN podcasts, Vogue magazine. Prior to the book’s release, Joy hosted the Fresh Out the Cocoon podcast which showcases the lived experiences of fat Black womxn and femmes. In 2019, Joy became the co-founder of Jabbie, an identity-inclusive, body affirming app that encourages people to move their bodies in their own way. Whether listening to community stories or working on initiatives across teams, Joy is dedicated to using her platform through research and leadership to illuminate the realities of those most overlooked and marginalized in society, bringing attention to societal issues long overdue for change.

Ticket Types

• Online
  • Standard registration: Early bird rate (until 31st May, 2023) is $150. From 1st June, standard rate will be $175.
  • Student/low income: Early bird rate (until 31st May, 2023) is $120. From 1st June, student/low income rate will be $145.
• In-person
  • Standard registration: Early bird rate (until 31st May, 2023) is $205. From 1st June, standard rate will be $235.
  • Student/low income: Early bird rate (until 31st May, 2023) is $175. From 1st June, student/low income rate will be $200.

As a reminder, and across all rates, further reductions or hardship requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please use the Bursary Application form on our website and/or email us at stigmaconf@gmail.com. Standard bursary applications will be accepted until the date of the conference, with awards depending on availability of funding. A single Dr Cat Pausé Travel Bursary will be awarded. The deadline for applications is 31st May 2022. Application is via the same form.

NOTE: You do NOT have to bring a print-out of your ticket to the event.

Bursary Fund – Supporting Accessibility

The Weight Stigma Conference is a not-for-profit event. Although we try and keep prices down, we realise that the conference will nevertheless be beyond some people's means. Rather than raising the cost of tickets, we will make every effort to raise additional funding through donations and sponsorship to allow us to give bursaries to individuals who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend. A Donation option is available for both delegates and non-attendees who are in a position to contribute a little extra to help us provide financial assistance where needed. Donations can also be made through our Go Fund Me page - please share this page with your networks. To date, the WSC Bursary Fund has allowed us to provide over 40 bursaries and 5 travel awards. Thank you so much for your generosity. If you are interested in formal sponsorship of the event, please email us: stigmaconf@gmail.com.

Accessibility Accommodations

The chairs used in the conference venue have no arms and a weight capacity of 350 pounds. Online, we will provide automatic closed captioning via Zoom. For other accessibility requirements, please indicate on your registration questionnaire. If we are not able to accommodate your needs, we will reach out to discuss options with you. Note, we cannot guarantee requests made less than 14 days prior to the conference.

Terms and Conditions

Recorded Event

This event will be recorded (both audio and visual). By registering for this event, you consent to this recording. Recordings will be available to delegates for viewing for one month after the live event has ended.

COVID-19 statement

We are committed to creating a safe space for in-person events with our top priority being the safety and wellbeing of delegates, speakers, and staff. The following protocols will be followed at this summer’s event as it pertains to COVID-19 safety practices.

Please note these guidelines are subject to change. Check this page prior to travel for updates.

• Attendees will be required to wear masks at all times in meeting and gathering spaces, except when actively eating, drinking, or presenting at a safe distance. You will be provided with a mask if needed.
• If attendees experience COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that you return to your accommodation, make appropriate plans to isolate and quarantine, and refrain from participation in conference activities.

By registering for the 2023 Weight Stigma Conference, attendees acknowledge that they understand the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, and that current medical knowledge of the virus, including its transmissibility and risk remains uncertain, particularly in light of evolving variants of the virus. Currently, there exists no cure for the virus, and certain medical conditions may be at high risk for the disease. Attendees also understand that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as many other public health authorities, continue to recommend practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing, and the wearing of masks under certain circumstances, even for persons who may have been vaccinated for the virus. By registering for this in-person event, attendees further acknowledge that WSC cannot guarantee you will not become infected with the virus while attending the annual meeting.

By registering for the summer event and agreeing to the included registration waiver, attendees agree not to hold the WSC responsible if they contract COVID-19.

We thank you for respecting others in this ever-changing environment, and for your cooperation in these guidelines to ensure safety for all.

Cancellations and refunds

Cancellations before 14th June will be refunded in full. After that date, only partial refunds will be available. Please contact us at stigmaconf@gmail.com if you need to cancel your registration. If the event is cancelled by the organisers, a full refund will be given.