Gender and Politics Research in Europe: Towards a Consolidation of a Flourishing Political Science Subfield?

Ahrens, Petra; Erzeel, Silvia; Evans, Elizabeth; Kantola, Johanna; Kuhar, Roman and Lomardo, Emanuela. 2021. Gender and Politics Research in Europe: Towards a Consolidation of a Flourishing Political Science Subfield? European Political Science, 20(1), pp. 105-122. ISSN 1680-4333 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

Over the past twenty years, the field of “gender and politics” has flourished in European political science. An example of this is the growing number of “gender and politics” scholars and the increased attention paid to gender perspectives in the study of the political. Against this backdrop, we take stock of how the “gender and politics” field has developed over the years. We argue that the field has now entered a stage of “consolidation”, which is reflected in the growth, diversification and professionalization of the subfield, as well as in the increased disciplinary recognition from major gatekeepers in political science. But while consolidation comes with specific opportunities, it also presents some key challenges. We identify five such challenges: (1) the potential fragmentation of the field; (2) persisting hierarchies in knowledge production; (3) the continued marginalization of feminist political analysis in “mainstream” political science; (4) the changing link between academia and society; and (5) growing opposition to gender studies in parts of Europe and beyond. We argue that both the “gender and politics” field and political science in general should address these challenges in order to become a truly inclusive discipline.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-020-00304-8

Keywords:

Academic knowledge, Anti-gender movement, Gender, Intersectionality, Political science, Sexuality

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Politics

Dates:

DateEvent
9 November 2020Accepted
21 January 2021Published Online
March 2021Published

Item ID:

29496

Date Deposited:

30 Nov 2020 10:32

Last Modified:

21 Jan 2022 02:26

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/29496

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