Losing the Weight of Anti-Fatness: A Sociological Journey | Keelyn Taylor | TEDxUF

Anti-fatness is pervasive in many societies, but has this always been the case? Dr. Taylor discusses how cultural norms and historical context shape how we think about body size and uses the sociological imagination to explore fatness and anti-fatness. Dr. Keelyn Taylor, a sociologist, began her academic journey at Tarleton State University, earning a B.S. in Sociology with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. At Tarleton, Keelyn conducted research under the USDA-funded grant “Green Thumbs, Green Plates, and Green Attitudes for a Well-Fed Future: Addressing Food Sustainability through Campus Multidisciplinary Education, Research, and Outreach,” served as a Supplemental Instructor for Social Science Statistics, and was named Outstanding Graduate. Driven by a passion for education and the desire for a freer world for all, Keelyn pursued her M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Florida, specializing in Women’s and Gender Studies. During her time at UF, Keelyn conducted doctoral research exploring how Instagram users negotiate fatness, anti-fatness, and feminisms on the platform and taught courses on Marriage and Family and the Sociology of Gender. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx