Gender Studies Research Articles

A Conversation with Professor Clare Hemmings

Clare Hemmings is a Professor of Feminist Theory at the Department of Gender Studies (formerly Gender Institute), London School of Economics and Political Science, where she has worked since 1999. Her research focuses on feminist and queer studies, examining the relationship between these fields and their institutionalization at national and international levels. She is interested in how participants in these fields narrate their history and current form, and how these narratives align with conservative agendas.

Spaces of Self and Madness: Autobiography, Autofiction, and Animation in Signe Baumane's "Rocks in My Pockets" and "My Love Affair with Marriage"

This article analyses the two feature-length films by Signe Baumane, Rocks in My Pockets (2014) and My Love Affair with Marriage (2022). For this purpose, this article discusses theories of autofiction and its representation in different forms and media and pays particular attention to the potential of animation to represent fictionalized selves. Drawing on genre and gender theories, as well as the study of memory and self, this article shows how Baumane dissects the constructedness of female and feminine selves and criticizes the oppressive nature of the individual and collective discourses around mental health and womanhood.

Judith Butler: Life, Philosophy, Politics, Ethics: E-Special Issue Introduction

This e-special issue of Theory, Culture & Society presents works published by and about US philosopher and activist Judith Butler (b. 1956), Distinguished Scholar at the Graduate School, University of California, Berkeley. They have contributed to Theory, Culture & Society and inspired key debates and scholarship around their work. Gender Trouble transformed our understanding of gender, influencing generations of academics, activists, and cultural producers. Butler is an exceptional thinker who aims to build more inclusive and sustainable societies through their writing, which has influenced numerous fields, e.g. sociology, gender studies, politics, and the arts. The editorial introduction juxtaposes earlier and subsequent writings by Butler in order to encourage a wider reading of their work. Drawing upon the full catalogue of Theory, Culture & Society and Body & Society, the collection includes articles published by Butler, interviews with them, a book review, and articles about their work.

Beyond “Religious Fundamentalism”: Bridging Religious Tradition, Gender Normative Systems, and State Institutions to Respond to Intimate Partner Violence in Ethiopia

Despite its western Christian origin, the notion of religious fundamentalism has been employed by western and non-western scholars alike to describe a variety of religious groups perceived to manifest antagonism to aspects of modernity and secularism, especially western ideals of gender equality as enforced in many cases by state policies. Within religion and gender studies and Gender and Development scholarship, fundamentalism has been often invoked in reference to faith communities opposing feminist ideals, but without due recognition being given to the western metaphysics of feminist theories of gender, or the epistemological and ethical problems of “naming” such communities as “fundamentalist” within Western/Anglophone scholarship. This lack of reflexivity risks essentializing religious communities as being opposed to feminist gender ideals when their reactions might reflect more complex underlying reasons, and can also be counterproductive in effectively responding to gender inequalities and women’s abuse in religious societies. This paper proposes that a more intimate engagement with non-western religious traditions grounded in a study of theological teachings and the lived religious experience of specific communities can remedy such tendencies and achieve a better understanding of the nexus of gender, faith, and tradition/modernity in diverse cultural contexts. It illustrates this by drawing key insights from a study of conjugal abuse in an Orthodox Täwahәdo community in Ethiopia that demonstrated intricate associations between understandings of and attitudes toward conjugal abuse and the local religious tradition, the significance of a culture-as-religion discourse in the maintenance of rigid gender norms, and the potential of Orthodox theology to counter ideas about abusiveness that contributed to its implicit tolerance. The paper relates these findings to Ethiopian women activists’ efforts and the multi-religious societal fabric of Ethiopian society to explore the possibilities for integrated responses to intimate partner violence in the country.

Exploring Sleep Patterns in 3,475 College Students: A Comparative Study of Geographical Location, Gender, and Age

Abstract Objective Sleep is a fundamental physiological process essential for maintaining overall health and optimal functioning across various cognitive, emotional, and physical domains. To cross-sectionally investigate the sleep pattern among college students according to geographical location, gender, and age. Materials and Methods A total of 3,475 valid responses, 3,366 from 4 continents (Africa – n = 1,095; America – n = 182; Asia – n = 1,562; Europe – n = 527); 2,075 from female students and 1,369 from male students (n = 3,444), were analyzed. Sleep quality, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness were assessed using validated questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], Insomnia Severity Index [ISI], and Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], respectively). Results Students from all continents had poor sleep quality, and there were inter-countries differences in sleep quality. The frequency of poor sleep quality and subclinical-to-clinical insomnia were higher among Asian (AsiS) and African students (AfS) compared with American (AmS) and European students (EuS) (p < 0.05). Asian students had a greater frequency of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) compared with those from other continents (p < 0.05). Females showed higher mean ISI scores (p < 0.001) as well as a greater frequency of poor sleep quality (p < 0.05), subclinical-to-clinical insomnia (p < 0.05), and EDS (p < 0.05) compared with males. Insufficient sleep duration was more frequent in older-aged groups (i.e., 26–30, 31–35, and > 36 years) compared with the ≤ 20 years age group (p < 0.05). Excessive daytime sleepiness was more frequent in younger age groups (i.e., ≤ 20 and 21–25 years) versus the > 36 years (p < 0.05) group. There were no significant differences in the frequency of various degrees of insomnia across age groups. Conclusion Our results suggest the need for tailored interventions for addressing sleep disturbances among college students of all age groups, with a specific focus on AsiS and AfS, as well as female students.

Alternative metrics and social impact of research about Social Sciences in Cuba

Abstract The evaluation of the social impact of research is a critical concern for both the scientific and social communities. This study aims to describe the social impact of scientific research outcomes in the field of Social Sciences in Cuba. Five dimensions of analysis and 16 alternative indicators were utilized, employing altmetric tools and data sources. The data for the study were collected from the Scopus database and the altmetric data provider PlumX Metrics. Statistical techniques for trend and correlation analysis between indicators, along with data visualization, were used for the analysis. The results indicate that the most prominent indicators were citations in Scopus and CrossRef, Views Count, Full Text Views, Abstract Views, Readers in Mendeley Captures, and social network metrics from Facebook and Twitter. The research findings with the greatest social impact pertained to climate change and environmental policy, scientific production related to COVID-19, higher education, sustainable development, gender studies, legislation, and tourism.

First Graduated Women Architects and Urbanists in Eastern Mediterranean Europe 1900-2000. The Cases of Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey

This paper provides an overview of the history of the first women graduates in architecture in Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. Based on a review of digital archives and secondary sources written by local researchers, the aim of this research is to contribute to the dissemination and valorisation of women’s work and contributions to the history of modern architecture. The three countries under study constitute one of the most interesting European peripheries from the point of view of architecture, but also from the point of view of gender studies and women’s history. Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey, with their peculiarities and differences, condense in their recent history the political and cultural milestones that clearly show the direct link between the advance of democracy and women’s rights. Similarly, all this has an impact on architecture and urban planning; from the type and focus of projects and plans that are developed as a priority, to the people who are recognised and validated by architectural culture and its historical narrative. The research reveals the barriers and alliances of the first generations of women who studied architecture in Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. It also reveals certain trends in the way the profession is practised, almost always linked to the socio-political context of the country and the percentage of women in the profession, among other considerations. Working for public institutions is seen as a priority working environment from which many of them have been able to make great contributions to their countries, developing infrastructures, public facilities and regulatory frameworks to improve spatial standards. Housing and heritage conservation are two areas in which these generations of women have been particularly active, some of them becoming international references in this field.

A critical analysis of TERF politics in South Korea: The contradictory constructions of “Western feminism” and its legitimizing effects

ABSTRACT This paper investigates how the Korean TERF movement constructs and positions itself in relation to “Western feminism” to legitimize its anti-trans ideology. Since 2018, Korean TERF discourses have been shaped by factors including the understanding of Korea’s relationship to the West within the movement and the movement’s self-proclaimed identity as feminist outside the West. This process allows the movement to build a “rational” framework to distinguish the characteristics of various “feminist” movements worldwide from itself. Korean TERFs arbitrarily critique “First World Western feminism” for endorsing “gender theory” based on Western privileges. Simultaneously, they break down the category of Western feminism into “US feminism,” tainted by “gender ideology,” and “UK feminism,” opposing this ideology. Through these contradictory strategies, they assert superiority over “US feminism” while acknowledging “UK feminism” as a reference for possible solidarity. This study highlights that TERFism outside Western societies, which has imported “transgender debates” from Anglophone and European discourses, connects to and defines the West in various ways. By showing how Korean TERFs insert themselves within a global conversation rather than constructing an opinion in isolation, this paper underscores the need for a multi-located global framework to critique TERF and anti-trans movements in the non-West and Korea specifically.

Strandlooping as a relational enquiry to reimagine higher education and gender studies along the Camissa coastline

ABSTRACT Thirty years after democracy in South Africa, the legacy of apartheid continues to affect Black and Brown 1 bodies by excluding them from the ocean and other spaces through the legacies of racist laws which continue to bleed into the present. In this paper, I argue that strandlooping as a method of enquiry is key to understanding care for our hydrocommons. This methodology can also be considered to be a generative way of re-imagining and practicing higher education research and gender studies differently. Strandlooping as a lone, Brown woman along certain stretches of the coastline is unsafe, and this influences the way I work and whom I choose to walk with. I make use of African feminism, Indigenous knowledge and research-creation frameworks in the paper to enact theory-practice-praxis in creative and relational ways. The paper concludes with three suggested watermarks or propositions for strandlooping to encourage knowledge-making with humans and more-than-human entities.

Dehumanization and Minimization of Informal Caregivers Suffering: The Legitimizing Role of Justice Perceptions.

Informal caregivers, who provide unpaid care work to individuals with disabilities, are devalued despite their important contributions to society. Identifying the factors contributing to their devaluation is crucial for recognizing and valuing their work. In two experimental studies, we examined (a) whether informal caregivers are dehumanized; (b) the moderating impact of belief in a just world (BJW) on this process; and (c) the predictive impact of BJW and the dehumanization of informal caregivers on the perception of informal caregivers' suffering. In Study 1 (N = 180), a 2 (informal caregiver vs. non-caregiver) X 2 (female vs. male) between-participants design was used; in Study 2 (N = 205), there were two experimental conditions: female informal caregiver vs. male informal caregiver. Participants were randomly assigned to one description of a target and were asked to complete measures assessing the dehumanization of the target (Studies 1 and 2), the perception of the suffering of the target (Study 2), and a measure of BJW referring to themselves (Study 2). Results showed the expected dehumanization effect, such that participants attributed fewer uniquely human emotions to informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers, regardless of their gender (Studies 1 and 2). However, this effect was observed only among participants with higher BJW (Study 2). Furthermore, BJW and the dehumanization of informal caregivers predicted the minimization of the perception of informal caregivers' suffering (Study 2). These results establish a theoretical relationship between these research areas and offer insights for practical implications and future research.

Unveiling bias in artificial intelligence: Exploring causes and strategies for mitigation

With the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the emergence of various AI models such as Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT, and MidJourney has brought numerous benefits and opportunities. Through users' extensive utilization, they have discovered biases towards gender, race, and other factors in these AI systems. This paper focuses on bias in AI and aims to investigate its causes and propose strategies for mitigation. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper has explored the phenomenon of bias in AI-generated content. Furthermore, we examine the reasons behind bias and solutions from social and intelligence science perspectives. From a social science perspective, we examine the effects of gender bias in AI and highlight the importance of incorporating diversity and gender theory in machine learning. From an intelligence science standpoint, we explore factors like biased datasets, algorithmic fairness, and the role of machine learning randomness in group fairness. Additionally, we discuss the research methodology employed, including the literature search strategy and quantity assessment. The results and discussions confirm the existence of bias in current AI products, particularly in the underrepresentation of women in the AI development field. Finally, we present future perspectives on reducing bias in AI products, including the importance of fair datasets, improved training processes, and increased participation of female engineers and intelligence scientists in the AI field. By addressing bias in AI, the paper can strive for more equitable and responsible AI systems that benefit diverse users and promote social progress.

Erotic Black Diaspora

“The Erotic Black Diaspora: From Your Hands to Mine” is a theoretical exploration of how the erotic informs Black feminist politics, kinship, love, and spirituality throughout the African diaspora. Through an interdisciplinary approach rooted in literary studies, history, African and African diaspora studies, women’s and gender studies, and Black queer studies, as well as archival research, a close reading of letters sent to Black feminist, writer, and poet Audre Lorde reveals how the erotic functions within Black feminist spaces, particularly in the late 1970s–mid 1980s. In using Audre Lorde’s definition of the erotic, as she defines it in “Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power,” this paper argues that the Erotic Black Diaspora is a way of reading Black feminist love, language, and action. Recognizing the diversity within Afro-diasporic experiences, the Erotic Black Diaspora privileges the erotic (platonic and/or romantic) feelings and expressions across continents cultivated between same-sex-loving and queer individuals throughout the African diaspora. Positioning Black feminist archives, in particular correspondence sent between Black feminist foremothers, as a counter-archive to institutions of oppression informs one’s understanding of the ethics of Black feminist politics, love, spirituality, and community building.

Operationalization of (Trans)gender in Facial Recognition Systems: From Binarism to Intersectionality

ABSTRACTIn a paper published in 2018, Os Keyes investigated how the literature on Automated Gender Recognition systems (AGRs) conceived gender, finding that 94.8% of the papers treated it as binary, 72.4% as immutable and 60.3% as a physiological component. In the author's view, this is indicative of an operationalization of gender, that is, the assumption that the latter is a discrete and objectively applicable parameter. Keyes claims that such a vision is blind to the performative aspects of gender and particularly dangerous for transgender people. Here I will follow on these remarks, providing several examples that show how AGR systems' failures in recognizing the faces of transgender people are capable of both perpetuating and amplifying gender stereotypes and inequalities. Then, I will introduce the notion of intersectionality, which is the idea that humans ‘sit at the crossroads’ of many physical, social, and political factors, whose combination generates dynamics of discrimination or privilege. I will focus on a subfield of intersectional studies, that is, intersectional stereotyping, which explains how we usually make assumptions and judgments about an individual or group of people based on multiple social identities or categories they belong to, such as their race, gender, sexual orientation, class, religion and ability. I will argue that this area of research provides us with a set of knowledge that might help us rethink and redesign the data sets for AGR. Specifically, I will draw on three key notions of intersectional stereotyping—‘perceiver goals’, ‘category accessibility’ and ‘category fit’—and use them to envision new ways of collecting images for assessing gender through facial recognition. Finally, I will explicate why my observations call for an urgent integration between computer science and gender studies.

Gender and postcolonial studies: history of the concept and debate.

The debate on the concept of gender in postcolonial studies is extremely complex and involves a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives. Postcolonial studies has shown the connection between gender identity, colonial power, and decolonisation processes. This paper will explore the social construction of gender in colonial contexts, the way in which colonial practises have influenced gender dynamics, and the struggles for resistance and freedom in which women and gender-nonconforming people have engaged in postcolonial countries. The issue will be raised of how gender is interpreted and experienced in different cultures and social contexts. Furthermore, the analysis of colonisation and decolonisation processes will provide a starting point to understand how gender hierarchies have been built and criticised in postcolonial contexts, leading to the development of the most recent ecofeminist and decolonial perspectives.

Totem

Abstract Although the term “totem” constituted a key term in classical theories of religion, it has not played a notable role in the recent material turn in the study of religion. This essay offers a critical reconsideration of the term by comparing its function in Durkheim’s sociology of religion with David Chidester’s postcolonial analysis of its function in religion and Religious Studies from a South African location. The comparison not only highlights problematic uses of the term in its history, but also sheds light on the question whether the term might be rehabilitated for use in the study of material religion. In assessing the term’s genealogy as well as its possible use in the study of material religion, the ethical question is of paramount importance: informed by critical theories of race, class and gender, which values may serve in our assessment?

Jennifer Cooke, Contemporary Feminist Life-Writing: The New Audacity (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020), 234 pages, £83.99 (hardback)

Jennifer Cooke’s monograph Contemporary Feminist Life-Writing: The New Audacity is a recent addition to the Cambridge Studies in Twenty-First-Century Literature and Culture. The series offers a philosophically nuanced account of the twenty-first-century intellectual landscape, as Cooke’s book demonstrates. Aimed primarily at scholars and advanced readers, Contemporary Feminist Life-Writing consists of a carefully curated work of criticism of what Cooke calls ‘the new audacity’, a form of contemporary feminist life-writing that challenges autobiographical conventions. Cooke argues that ‘unlike their second-wave predecessors [new audacity writers] write in the wake of queer, gender, and trauma theory, post-structuralist and Derridean critiques of binary thinking’ (9). Building on a long history of women’s experimental life-writing scholarship, Cooke’s study examines these writers’ personal and theoretical relation to contemporary thought. In so doing, she points to the powerful presence of theory within contemporary feminist life-writing and the forms of fearlessness that its authors deploy.

Entrepreneurial working-class masculinities and curating the corporeal: social media influencers, porntrepreneurs and the case of OnlyFans

PurposeFor the most part, the majority of the research on entrepreneurial masculinities has focused on the traditional business and finance sector, capturing a masculinity infused with notions of dominance, a cut-throat disposition and corporate acumen. There has been relatively less attention focused on the reproduction of masculinities and monetized body work in digital forms of entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual article explores some of the entrepreneurial and performative skills utilized by male OnlyFans creators as they curate not only their bodies but also their sexualities in order to attract subscribers and maximize profits.FindingsMapping the relationship between entrepreneurialism and masculinity on OnlyFans is significant considering the platform’s popularity and the changing nature of digital entrepreneurship. Drawing connections to previous research on working-class entrepreneurial masculinities, we highlight how male OnlyFans creators, who are largely from working-class backgrounds, are actively practicing entrepreneurial skills.Originality/valueWe foreground the work of social media creators as sexualized and aesthetic labour, making connections between digital entrepreneurship, working-class masculinity, sexuality, and (idealized) bodies. Our article concludes with making recommendations for future research on the study of gender and sexuality within for-profit digital entrepreneurship.

Burned out by the binary: how misgendering of nonbinary employees contributes to workplace burnout

We examine nonbinary employees’ experiences with misgendering in work contexts and draw from minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003) to understand the consequences of misgendering. Our findings from 29 semi-structured interviews with nonbinary individuals revealed that although being misgendered is a common and highly stressful experience (distal stressor), the emotional labor associated with anticipating and reacting to misgendering acts as an additional and more proximal stressor. Together, these stressors jointly contribute to all three components of employee burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional efficacy). We also identified support from coworkers and supervisors (in preventing and addressing misgendering) as important ameliorating factors. As such, our findings provide support for the tenets of minority stress theory and extend this work by focusing specifically on nonbinary employees and on burnout, an important outcome for both employees and organizations. These findings provide a more complete understanding of the lived experiences of nonbinary employees and make unique contributions to the diversity/inclusion, gender studies, queer studies, work/life, and occupational health literatures.

Historia, cuidados y género: discusiones y agendas futuras para la investigación historiográfica

The article presents a general, though not exhaustive, overview of the notion of care and its presence and relevance in gender historiography, examining how historical research can inform and shape new discussions. A bibliographic and narrative review methodology is used, comparing selected studies based on their contributions and scope. Given that care is a transdisciplinary issue with significant heuristic potential, both historical topics and those from other branches of the humanities and social sciences are considered. Care is understood here both as an affective and a labor disposition, and it is from these dimensions that the main debates and problems are presented, focusing specifically on those that have had the greatest presence in gender and history studies: domestic work, feminized professions that care for others, affective communities, and maternal love. In the context of the current care crisis, it is concluded that the topic needs to be viewed broadly and its contributions revalued from a critical gender theory perspective, also considering a historiographic perspective sensitive to contexts and capable of interpretive flexibility. The article focuses on the main academic discussions held in North America and European countries, aiming to contribute to understanding the theoretical and applied scope of care and acknowledging that there is still much ground to cover. The conclusions offer an overview of the thematic lines and theoretical assumptions that could enrich future historiographical research agendas on care.

Fashioning identity and resistance: Shilpa Chavan's HUM (we/us)

ABSTRACT Shilpa Chavan's short film HUM (we/us) blends fashion design, filmmaking, and social critique into a powerful artistic statement. This essay examines Chavan's innovative approach, exploring how she has collaborated to craft a visual and sonic narrative about identity, resistance, and community through a lens of postcolonial India. The analysis employs multiple theoretical frameworks, including gender theory, critical fashion practices, postcolonial studies, psychoanalysis, and sound analysis. Chavan's use of recycled materials and hybrid aesthetics creates a critical space for reimagining fashion's activist role in society, challenging dominant norms while envisioning new possibilities. The essay situates HUM (we/us) within the context of contemporary Indian and international art, drawing comparisons with works by artists such as Tejal Shah, Pushpamala N., Isaac Julien, and Zanele Muholi. It also examines the film's social and cultural impact, its critical reception, and its potential influence on future artistic practices. Through detailed analysis, HUM (we/us) emerges as a compelling example of interdisciplinary art practice sparking meaningful dialogue about complex social issues, demonstrating the power of art to challenge hegemonic narratives and imagine alternative futures.