I’m coordinator of Semiofest’s series of informal online “sessions.” These events are intended not only to share best practices among, but to nurture collegiality and friendship within the global semio community.

Coming up on 25th July (at 2 pm UK time)…

SEMIOTICS & GENDER EQUALITY

How can semioticians challenge outdated frameworks around gender roles while amplifying diverse voices in the world of communications? Gabriela Pedranti has invited Melanie Tobal, Daniela Di Bella, and Gianlluca Simi to discuss diversifying creative teams, advocating for representation that genuinely reflects the diversity of societies, and more. The goal is to introduce tools and resources for semioticians who are inspired to reshape narratives around gender and diversity in marketing and advertising.

Get tickets (suggested donations only) at the link above.

Our sessionists:

• DANIELA DI BELLA is a senior freelance graphic designer and art director. She specializes in branding and visual identity with a gender perspective. Her work focuses on inclusive design that communicates with purpose and impact.

• GIANLLUCA SIMI is a Senior Manager of Consumer Insights, with a passion for the intersection between culture, data, and strategy. With a PhD in Cultural Studies & Semiotics and an MBA in Data Science, he has worked across academia, media, marketing, and tech—and now focuses on the storytelling, media, and entertainment industry.

• MELANIE TOBAL is a creative entrepreneur specializing in innovation, gender and diversity. Since founding Publicitarias in 2017, she has been at the forefront of promoting gender perspective and diversity across Ibero-American communication sectors, empowering companies and individuals to develop high-impact ideas and transformative strategies.

Session host: GABRIELA PEDRANTI is a lecturer at IED Barcelona and UPF. She’s worked as a communication consultant, journalist and translator/interpreter. In 2009, she launched SemioticaStudio with Ximena Tobi.

SEMIOFEST SESSIONS: R/D/E | BINARIES | SEMIOTICS & UX | BODY SEMIOTICS | AI & SEMIOTICS | SEMIOTICS & CINEMA | FICTIONAL DECODERS | ON COLOUR | & more.

Also see these global semio series: MAKING SENSE (Q&As) | SEMIOFEST SESSIONS (monthly mini-conferences) | COVID CODES | SEMIO OBJECTS | COLOR CODEX | DECODER (fictional semioticians) | CASE FILE | PHOTO OP | MEDIA DIET.