Intersection Theory Research Articles

Pluricanonical cycles and tropical covers

We extract a system of numerical invariants from logarithmic intersection theory on pluricanonical double ramification cycles, and show that these invariants exhibit a number of properties that are enjoyed by double Hurwitz numbers. Among their properties are (i) the numbers can be efficiently calculated by counts of tropical curves with a modified balancing condition, (ii) they are piecewise polynomial in the entries of the ramification vector, and (iii) they are matrix elements of operators on the Fock space. The numbers are extracted from the logarithmic double ramification cycle, which is a lift of the standard double ramification cycle to a blowup of the moduli space of curves. The blowup is determined by tropical geometry. We show that the traditional double Hurwitz numbers are intersections of the refined cycle with the cohomology class of a piecewise polynomial function on the tropical moduli space of curves. This perspective then admits a natural, combinatorially motivated, generalization to the pluricanonical setting. Tropical correspondence results for the new invariants lead immediately to the structural results for these numbers.

One-loop double copy relation from twisted (co)homology

We propose a geometric relation between closed and open string amplitudes at one-loop. After imposing a homological splitting on the world-sheet torus, twisted intersection theory is used to establish a one-loop double copy relation. The latter expresses a closed string amplitude by a pair of open string amplitudes and twisted intersection numbers. These inner products on the vector space of twisted differential forms are related to the twisted homology and cohomology groups associated with the Riemann-Wirtinger integral.

Exploring the intersectionality of ethnicity, gender and entrepreneurship: a case study of Nepali women in the United Kingdom

PurposeEntrepreneurs belonging to ethnic minority groups have emerged as a significant and more powerful element within the private sector, having considerable economic and social impact. Nevertheless, prior empirical research has indicated that each geographical area has distinct social and cultural obstacles that impact entrepreneurs in varying ways. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the difficulties and barriers faced by women entrepreneurs from diverse ethnic origins in the United Kingdom, a developed region, while managing their firms.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, the cross-concepts of intersectional theory were used as the study’s analytical framework. The research methodology involved conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews with a group of 30 Nepali women entrepreneurs residing in the United Kingdom. A qualitative approach was employed, and thematic analysis was used to extract meaningful findings.FindingsThe study’s outcomes underscore the emergence of social stereotypes as a salient factor affecting Nepali female entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the research identifies challenges and barriers, which fall into several cross-concept categories: those related to self-efficacy; family; social and cultural factors; business-related issues; access to financial resources; and ethnicity and work-based categorization. The findings might also have broader implications, benefiting ethnic female entrepreneurs in general, as well as ethnic communities and governmental and non-governmental organizations. Insights gained from the study can inform the development of tailored training and educational programs aimed at supporting and nurturing the entrepreneurial aspirations of ethnic women.Originality/valueTo the best of the researchers’ knowledge, there is a dearth of empirical investigations that probe the challenges and barriers faced by Nepali women who have embarked on entrepreneurial endeavours in the UK. This study contributes to the limited literature knowledge on ethnic women entrepreneurs, by linking ethnicity, class and gender/sexual orientation, as well as business, family, personal and financial constructs. By adopting the cross-concept of intersectional theory, this study further contributes to the knowledge of the discriminatory realities of Nepali women entrepreneurs as they grapple with the complex experiences of running a business. By doing this, our study can contribute further to the knowledge of gender and entrepreneurship from the ethnic background of UK enterprises.

Intersection theory on moduli of disks, open KdV and Virasoro

Intersection theory on moduli of disks, open KdV and Virasoro

‘You're not supposed to be gay, you're black’: Analysing race and LGBTQ+ youth identity through an intersectional lens

AbstractIn this article, I build upon calls for an intersectional approach in sociocultural linguistic research – particularly in the context of language, gender and sexuality – which attends robustly to the question of race. Through the analysis of four moments of discourse between young LGBTQ+ people, I show how their queer positionality is informed and shaped by their experience as white or racialised youths. In doing so, I demonstrate the intra‐categorical nature of identity and the benefits of a ‘thick’ analytical approach which pays close attention to individual speakers’ positionalities. Furthermore, I argue for sociocultural linguistic research which honours the origins of intersectionality theory by accounting explicitly for the role of systemic racism and white privilege on speakers’ identity constructions.

Intersectional Identity and Representative Politics

Representation scholarship has drawn from intersectionality theory 0to examine how systemic structures of oppression and privilege have created social groups with distinct political needs. Derived from Black feminist theory that recognizes that identities are mutually constitutive and interconnected, intersectionality research is rooted in the lived experiences of marginalized groups who call attention to social (in)justice. Empirical scholarship building on the insights of Black feminist theorists such as Collins and Bilge (2016), Hill Collins (1990), Crenshaw (1989; 1991), and King (1988) has constituted nothing less than a paradigm shift in the study of gender and politics. Nevertheless, there remain an array of opportunities to expand upon the potential for intersectional frameworks and methods, as well as pressing new questions concerning the operationalization of intersectionality itself. This Critical Perspectives section offers a moment to take stock of these developments and debates, as well as to highlight new pathways for scholarship committed to centering the margins and considering the nexus of multiple power structures that frame our political lives.

Gender-based Violence amongst Black Visually Impaired Women in Intimate Relationships: A Literature Review

While activists, policymakers, and gender theorists have developed strategies to address gender-based violence (GBV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) for women and Black women in general, they have not attempted to unpack and strategise interventions for Black women with visual impairment (BWVI) facing GBV in intimate relationships. This literature review sought to explore the reported experiences of GBV amongst BWVI in intimate relationships within Southern Africa, as well as which intervention strategies need to be developed based on their needs. A desktop review of available qualitative and quantitative studies from 2000–2023 was conducted to search for publications to answer the following questions: What are the reported experiences of GBV amongst BWVI in intimate relationships? What interventions need to be developed based on their needs? Intersectionality theory underpinned this study. Literature suggests that BWVI report compounded forms of GBV compared to women without disabilities, given their race, gender, and disability status. However, their experiences of GBV were further complicated by a lack of external support and their dependence on perpetrators, making it harder for them to escape from their abusers. As such, it is suggested that the lack of preventative interventions for BWVI from GBV increases their vulnerability to other forms of abuse. Comprehensive interventions based on an intersectional framework are recommended to develop early risk-reduction and empowering strategies to alleviate GBV amongst BWVI within intimate relationships.

Intersectional Feminism and the Woman Spectator: A Historical Perspective

To what extent does a woman relate to the female on screen when she sits in front of it? Who establishes her image in the public eye and what misogynistic roles suppress her individuality both on and off screen? Many feminist cinema theorists have written extensively about the evolution of the female spectator throughout the years, including Diana Anselmo, Laura Mulvey, and bell hooks. However, a recurring issue in this lengthy discussion is the junction of multiple identities. This investigation is made more complex by intersectional feminism, which acknowledges that racial, class, and gender intersections all influence how women watch. This study uses intersectionality theory to conduct a critical analysis of movies such as La Souriante Mme Beudet (1923), Stella Dallas (1937), Imitation of Life (1959), La Noire de... (1966), and Thelma and Louise (1991) through the lenses of psychoanalysis, feminist theory, post-colonialist theory, and critical race theory. This theoretical framework challenges and examines the ways in which films uphold or question societal injustices in addition to illuminating the ways in which women from diverse backgrounds interact with the medium.

Book Review: An intersectional feminist theory of moral responsibility by Michelle Ciurria

Book Review: <i>An intersectional feminist theory of moral responsibility</i> by Michelle Ciurria

Development of a culturally safe recovery-oriented mental health practice

ABSTRACT This paper provides a comprehensive perspective on recovery, highlighting the significance of cultural awareness and the use of intersectionality theory to further the understanding of the influence of diverse identities on the recovery journey. A conceptual model is being introduced for culturally safe recovery-oriented practices, encompassing key domains: ways of knowing, presence, doing, and operating. Social workers are urged to lead the adoption of these practices, addressing service delivery gaps and promoting cultural safety for mental health service users. The model encourages mental health practitioners to engage in self-reflexivity, challenge power structures, and dismantle social inequities that hinder mental health recovery. The holistic embrace of all four practice domains can enhance service delivery and foster cultural safety for service users in recovery.

Gendering Ocean Management for Sustainable Ocean Care in Ghana

UNESCO presently offers a universal regime and policy environment for the identification and management of natural and cultural heritages. However, heritage does not merely signify cultural diversity; it can also facilitate greater equity and equality. The research problem addressed in this article is that in Ghana, the national government perceives and treats the small-scale fishing (SSF) sector as a masculine space and endeavour, ignoring the gendered aspects of this environment, of SSF practice and ocean care. In the article, it is hypothesized that if the SSF sector is treated as a socially differentiated space, and if the concern of ocean care is prioritized as a key imperative in Ghanaian ocean management, it is likely that a more inclusive and sustainable ocean management process and SSF sector will emerge in Ghana. Mindful of the socially differentiated nature of the SSF sector in Ghana, the goal of the research presented in this article is to use mixed qualitative research methods (participant-observation and semi-structured interviews) to investigate gendered knowledge forms and gendered practices in ocean care in the central region of Ghana. A key finding of the research is that gendered ritual practices, including canoe building and use in Ghana, are critical to long-term, sustainable, and inclusive ocean management in the country. Recognition of the gendered dimensions of ocean management in Ghana may also result in more inclusive ocean governance policies and nature management policies in Ghana in general. The conclusion of the article is that ocean governance in Ghana should consider and mainstream a gendered perspective of the SSF sector, to advance transformative, sustainable, and inclusive ocean care. The article draws on theories of intersectionality, African indigenous feminist thought, and critical heritage studies to analyse the data gathered, to support the discussion, and to propose the way forward for the national government.

Time and Flesh: Exploring the Embodied Experiences of Black Mothers.

Drawing on Black feminist theories of intersectionality and concepts of temporality and embodiment, this study centers Black girlhood to understand Black girls embodied journeys of "becoming" Black women. Findings revealed that: (a) Black girls often have complicated histories that lead to constrained and liberatory choices in adulthood and motherhood; (b) becoming a Black woman involves continual adaptations to temporal and historical contexts; and (c) Black motherhood is a contested space, deeply shaped by remembering Black girlhood and navigating maternal responses to legacies of harm. This study highlights the challenges and strengths in the transitory states of Black womanhood.

Gender disparities in self-rated health are contingent upon the neighborhood composition in New York City

ABSTRACT Racial and ethnic disparities in health persist in the United States. Gender health disparities vary by race and ethnicity. Intersectionality theory articulates how gender’s effects differ by one’s other identities and upon the social context. We examined whether neighborhood composition contributed to disparities in self-rated health using individual-level 2010 New York City Community Health Survey data and neighborhood-level U.S. Census data. In multilevel ordered logistic regression, we found a health benefit of white neighborhoods. We found greater gender disparities – men’s health was better than women’s health – in white neighborhoods. Policymakers should consider neighborhood-specific approaches to address gender disparities.

Capturing Intersections of Discrimination: Quantitative Analysis of Nursing Students' Experiences.

While prior literature has established that nursing students experience racism, mental health stigma, and ableism within their programs, there is a dearth of knowledge of how students experience discrimination more broadly, across intersecting identities. This analysis draws on Crenshaw's intersectionality theory to conduct an intersectional analysis of cross-sectional survey data of nursing students' experiences of discrimination. Results illustrate that discrimination operates in complex ways across students' social locations, as experiences of intersecting impacts of racism, homophobia/transphobia, mental health stigma, religious discrimination, ableism, and other forms of discrimination. Such experiences further unfold across clinical, classroom, and policy contexts.

On ELSV-type formulae and relations between Ω-integrals via deformations of spectral curves

The general relation between Chekhov–Eynard–Orantin topological recursion and the intersection theory on the moduli space of curves, the deformation techniques in topological recursion, and the polynomiality properties with respect to deformation parameters can be combined to derive vanishing relations involving intersection indices of tautological classes. We apply this strategy to three different families of spectral curves and show they give vanishing relations for integrals involving Ω-classes. The first class of vanishing relations are genus-independent and generalises the vanishings found by Johnson–Pandharipande–Tseng [34] and by the authors jointly with Do and Moskovsky [7]. The two other classes of vanishing relations are of a different nature and depend on the genus.

Intersectionality and Feminist Theory: A Framework for Understanding and Teaching Social Construct and Healthcare Policy

The continuing nursing shortage throughout the United States has affected all aspects of the healthcare sector, particularly nursing leadership. As the Baby Boomer generation of nurses retires, the profession is primed to need more experience, advocacy, and leadership. This leaves a critical gap for leaders who identify with and are wise to the factors that influence the dynamic power relationships inherent to American history. As the country continues to become increasingly diverse, women and minorities in leadership continue to be underrepresented. In one of the most significant threats to women’s health, the recent overturning of the Supreme Court landmark case, Roe v. Wade, has highlighted the marginalization of women and people of color that is deeply embedded in the nation’s history. The lack of women and minorities in leadership positions in healthcare that has resulted from vast power imbalances, gender stereotyping, discrimination, and patriarchal structures must be addressed. Intersectionality theory offers a lens through which to understand these factors of power for all nurses. Nurse leaders can understand complex social constructs and be prepared to address power relationships that inform healthcare policy.

Exploring Intersectionality Inequalities in Junior Secondary Schools in Guangdong Province, China: Causes and Analysis of the Achievement Gap

This study explores the cross-inequality in junior middle schools in China and Guangdong Province, paying special attention to the causes and analysis of the academic achievement gap. Through the discussion of the theory of socio-demographic differences and intersection, this paper reveals the complex influence of multiple social identities such as socio-economic status, gender and race on students' educational experience and academic performance. It is found that the uneven distribution of educational resources in different schools in Guangdong Province and the socio-economic background of parents have significantly affected students' academic achievements. In addition, this paper also discusses the possibility of promoting educational equity through educational policy intervention, such as resource allocation, teacher training and curriculum reform. This paper aims to provide a new perspective for reducing the inequality in the education system, and suggests further research to understand and solve these complex educational inequalities more comprehensively

Moving beyond vulnerability and focusing on resilience: An intersectional posttraumatic growth model for LGBTQ+ people of color.

In the context of the legacy of deficit-focused research and application of theoretical models in research on minoritized groups that are underrepresented in the literature, we explored the strengths-based literature among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people of color to develop a more inclusive and relevant understanding of how posttraumatic growth (PTG) occurs in this population. Our intersectional PTG model is tailored to the experiences of LGBTQ+ people of color that builds upon previous models of PTG, intersectionality theory, and empirical findings of trauma and PTG among LGBTQ+ people of color. Our intersectional PTG model incorporates the unique intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural factors that are unique to this population and contribute to PTG. We challenge the limited scope of Criterion A traumatic events and emphasize empirical findings that support that LGBTQ+ people of color often experience posttraumatic stress after oppression and discrimination. Our model also recognizes the impact of intersecting risk factors, such as gendered racism, that may occur on various levels. Our model acknowledges that LGBTQ+ people of color have often demonstrated PTG in the face of adversity. Intrapersonal factors such as cognitive flexibility, interpersonal factors such as social support, and institutional and cultural factors such as identity-related activism are identified as key contributors to resilience. We discuss practice implications, highlighting that clinicians should recognize limitations of traditional trauma frameworks and adopt culturally sensitive approaches when working with LGBTQ+ people of color. Overall, our model provides a foundation for strengths-based interventions and research, emphasizing resiliency and potential for PTG in this population.

EXPRESS: Female Muslim Tourism and Familial Caretaking: Intersection of Gender and Religion

Underpinned by intersectionality theory, this study deciphered female Muslims’ tourism experiences associated with gendered practice of familial caretaking, which was amplified by Islamic cultural practices of huqooq-ul-ibaad representing collectivist welfare; males’ qawamum role as financial maintainer socialising females into caretaker and virtue ethics of akhlaaq reinforcing feminist care ethics. Religion influences ambivalent discourse of caretaking and tourism, involving positive and negative experiences of separateness and togetherness with family. Traditionally, familial caretaking is prioritised over tourism, while contemporary familial caretaking is executed through tourism (i.e., regular caretaking, tourism as form of familial care). Contemporary female Muslims are empowered through tourism to focus on self-care and gender equality in caretaking, which also emphasised alternative Islamic perspectives (e.g. Rabbatul-bait positioning as queen of the house unlike subordination). This study unveiled cultural similarities and differences in female Muslims from a religious-minority context. Tourism stakeholders are encouraged to accommodate cultural diversities and address caretaking constraints.

Translating the feminist theory of intersectionality into gender analytical frameworks for gender and development

The growing popularity of intersectionality theory, the critiques levelled against it and its use in gender and development (GAD) warrant a critical reflection by feminists, especially those working with less affluent women. This article examines the stretching of intersectionality in GAD research, policymaking and practice, and shows how it has been depoliticised into becoming a ‘catch-all’ term that can be used by all feminists as a shorthand for explaining differences within the category of ‘women’. The particular focus here is on the gender analytical frameworks that are generally based on a binary understanding of gender and used in the development industry, generally by liberal feminists. Finally, and as a corrective, the article explores the possibilities of an ‘intersectionality-informed’ approach to gender analyses.