Topic of Workshop: The F-Word: Facing the Challenges of Feminist Research in the Social Sciences
Wednesday, 1st June 2016
This one-day interdisciplinary workshop was organised by three postgraduate research (PGR) students in the School of Law: Jennifer Mike, Janet Keliher, and Mathilde Pavis. It was open to undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and staff across the College of Social Sciences and International Studies (SSIS) and College of Humanities.
The aim of the event was to create a platform for discussions on the use and application of feminism concepts and gender-related theories in research context. Also in this regard, the event was designed to build a forum for experienced academic staff to reflect on their own scholarly engagement with feminism or gender studies as a conceptual, methodological and/or empirical approach in a research. The event provided an important learning opportunity for students and staff to engage in scholarly discussions and generate insights into the use of feminist theories in research.
At the event, Professor Michelle Ryan (Psychology) provided a thought-provoking keynote address on her research involving the “glass cliff” and work/life balance. Other participants included: Professor Susan Banducci (Politics), Professor Christine Hauskeller (Sociology), Dr Mitchell Travis (Leeds, Law and Social Justice), and Professor Jane Spencer (English). Several PGRs/early career researchers presented the challenges they face in the application of feminist theory in their research in a series of 10-minute presentations (chaired by Dr Charlie Bishop and Dr Fae Garland, Law).
The event was extremely well-attended, a total of 32 participants were in attendance. The efforts of the organisers were very much appreciated, as the feedback attests:
- “Great initiative – thanks a lot for organising”
- “Fabulous work!”
- “It was a great session”
- “Thank you for putting this together”
- “Very informative and well organised”
- “More please”.
We hope that further interdisciplinary sessions organised around the theme of feminism or feminist concerns will be organised in the 2016-17 academic year, so please look out for these events.