The intersectionality of the Hypen-Labs project: NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.12.23.12

Keywords:

Identity, intersectionality, Hyphen-Labs, immersive reality, NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism

Abstract

This research analyzes the possibilities of establishing proactive discourses through speculative products developed by Hyphen-Labs, focused on the combination of immersive reality and artificial intelligence. It specifically examines the NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism (NSAF) project, which combines the design of speculative products, VR and cognitive research to address inequalities from an intersectional perspective, initially by gender, and later extended to ethnicity, social class, age, religion.  The methodology applied is based on the selection and analysis of works created by various authors linked to Hyphen-Labs, evaluating assumptions of intersectionality, emptying of content and analysis of the discourses through descriptors of gender, race, character description and storytelling. The results highlight the reation of an autonomous network that collects and distributes collective memories, knowledge and experiences, performed by human agents and hosted on local custom servers. Furthermore, it confirms that NSAF, funded outside of institutions, has had a remarkable impact as a pioneering product in exploring inequality and promoting transformative speculative narratives.

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Author Biographies

  • Marta Mori-Cureses, Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

    Journalist, graduate of the Pontifical University of Salamanca. PhD candidate in Social Sciences (Audiovisual Communication) at the University of Salamanca. Holds an official Master's degree in Digital Information Systems and an official Master's degree in Audiovisual Communication: Research and Innovation, both from the same institution. Her doctoral thesis focuses on the narrative and informational treatment of television news programs and the level of sensationalism in current news coverage, both on television and social media. Her research centers on the sensationalization of current news, new prosumer audiences, and the need for digital and informational literacy for news-consuming audiences, among other areas of focus. She has held a scholarship with the Communications Office of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, the Digital Production and Innovation Service at the University of Salamanca, and has worked with media outlets such as *La Gaceta de Salamanca* and *La Nueva España*. She is currently the head of communications for the Compromiso Asturias XXI Association.

  • Irene Bajo-Pérez, Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

    Contracted Doctor Professor, with a Diploma in Social Work and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Recipient of the Extraordinary Bachelor's Degree Award in Sociology from the University of Salamanca and the Extraordinary Doctorate Award. Professor in the area of Sociology within the Department of Sociology and Communication. She teaches in the Environmental Science degree program, as well as in Sociology, Social Work, Labor Relations, and Human Resources, where she also serves as the Academic Coordinator. She also teaches in the master’s programs: Interdisciplinary Gender Studies (MEGUS), Public Services and Social Policies, and in the University of Salamanca’s own degree: Master's in Sexual Identity and LGTBI+ Diversity. Coordinator of the Violence and Gender Relations Group at CEMUSA. Member of the Interdisciplinary Research Group “Rights and Freedoms in Contemporary Society,” a Group of Excellence led by Dr. Ángela Figueruelo Burrieza. She also collaborates with the research group “Audiovisual Narratives and Sociocultural Studies” (NAES), coordinated by Begoña Gutiérrez San Miguel. Speaker at numerous courses and conferences, both national and international, covering a wide range of topics. Her research lines, as well as her involvement in social projects, focus on inequalities among disadvantaged and/or minority groups, the environment, urbanism, cross-border cooperation, social services, education, employment, local development, and especially issues related to violence and gender relations.

  • María-Luisa Ibáñez, Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

    Contracted Doctor Professor, with a Diploma in Social Work and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Recipient of the Extraordinary Bachelor's Degree Award in Sociology from the University of Salamanca and the Extraordinary Doctorate Award. Professor in the area of Sociology within the Department of Sociology and Communication. She teaches in the Environmental Science degree program, as well as in Sociology, Social Work, Labor Relations, and Human Resources, where she also serves as the Academic Coordinator. She also teaches in the master’s programs: Interdisciplinary Gender Studies (MEGUS), Public Services and Social Policies, and in the University of Salamanca’s own degree: Master's in Sexual Identity and LGTBI+ Diversity. Coordinator of the Violence and Gender Relations Group at CEMUSA. Member of the Interdisciplinary Research Group “Rights and Freedoms in Contemporary Society,” a Group of Excellence led by Dr. Ángela Figueruelo Burrieza. She also collaborates with the research group “Audiovisual Narratives and Sociocultural Studies” (NAES), coordinated by Begoña Gutiérrez San Miguel. Speaker at numerous courses and conferences, both national and international, covering a wide range of topics. Her research lines, as well as her involvement in social projects, focus on inequalities among disadvantaged and/or minority groups, the environment, urbanism, cross-border cooperation, social services, education, employment, local development, and especially issues related to violence and gender relations.

  • Begoña Gutiérrez -San-Miguel, Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

    Professor of Audiovisual Communication at the University of Salamanca. Her research focuses on Audiovisual Narratives and Sociocultural Studies, with an emphasis on film, audiovisual narrative language, and gender issues. She has published various works on these research topics in the form of books, articles, and digital media. She has participated in 25 funded research projects through competitive calls of various kinds (8 as Principal Investigator), and has been involved in several contracts with companies (L-83), serving as Principal Investigator in 3, the most recent in 2018: *Inés Luna Terrero: Life and Legacy. Recording, editing, and production of a documentary video. She is a documentary filmmaker and the Principal Investigator of the recognized research group "Audiovisual Narratives and Sociocultural Studies." She is also a member of the Women’s Studies Center at the University of Salamanca (CEMUSA) and the GENET Association/Centre for Human, Social, and Legal Sciences (CCHS, CSIC) for Gender Studies (Madrid, Spain).

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Published

2025-04-09

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 23 (2025): Comunicación política y participación digital

Section

Miscellaneous

How to Cite

The intersectionality of the Hypen-Labs project: NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism. (2025). Revista De La Asociación Española De Investigación De La Comunicación, 12(23), raeic122312. https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.12.23.12