Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies

Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies
Name	Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies
Established	1980s
Type	Research centre
City	Cambridge
Country	United Kingdom
Affiliations	University of Cambridge

Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary research centre based in Cambridge, England, linked with the University of Cambridge and active in feminist scholarship, queer studies, and intersectional analysis. The centre brings together scholars from colleges such as Trinity College, Cambridge, King's College, Cambridge, St John's College, Cambridge, and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge with researchers from departments including Faculty of English, University of Cambridge, Department of Sociology (University of Cambridge), Department of History (University of Cambridge), Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge and professional units like Cambridge Judge Business School. It engages with national and international organisations including British Library, British Academy, Arts and Humanities Research Council, and institutions such as University of Oxford, London School of Economics, University College London and Goldsmiths, University of London.

History

The centre originated amid intellectual movements shaped by events like Women’s Liberation Movement, debates connected to scholars such as Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler, bell hooks, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and institutional developments comparable to the founding of Women's Studies Association (UK). Early alliances reflected links with Cambridge initiatives in the 1980s and 1990s, resonating with projects at Somerville College, Oxford and networks around European Consortium of Gender Studies and conferences such as International Congress on Women's History. Over time the centre evolved alongside major publications and series produced by presses like Cambridge University Press, Routledge, Palgrave Macmillan and Oxford University Press, and engaged with policy debates involving bodies such as Equality and Human Rights Commission and legislative moments like the passage of the Equality Act 2010.

Research and Programs

Research spans topics associated with leading figures and areas: feminist theory in the tradition of Mary Wollstonecraft, Simone Weil, Hélène Cixous; queer theory tracing lineages to Michel Foucault, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Gillian Rose; trans studies in relation to debates involving activists linked to Stonewall (charity) and scholarship influenced by Susan Sontag; and intersectionality building on work by Kimberlé Crenshaw, Patricia Hill Collins, Angela Davis and Stuart Hall. Programmatic clusters connect with archival research at institutions like Imperial War Museums, National Archives (United Kingdom), Wellcome Collection and digital humanities projects associated with British Library Labs. Funding and collaborative grants have been awarded by organisations including European Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Economic and Social Research Council, and foundations such as Ford Foundation and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Academic and Teaching Activities

The centre supports postgraduate supervision linked to degrees such as the MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science, MPhil in Gender Studies and doctoral supervision within faculties including Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology (University of Cambridge), and the Institute of Criminology (University of Cambridge). Teaching contributions intersect with lecture series at venues like Cambridge Arts Theatre, seminars hosted by colleges including Clare College, Cambridge and interdisciplinary modules shared with departments such as Department of History of Art, University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge and professional training with organisations like National Health Service trusts and museums such as Tate Modern.

Affiliations and Partnerships

The centre maintains formal and informal partnerships with bodies including University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Equality Challenge Unit, Council of Europe, and international research networks such as European Association for Gender Research, Education and Documentation and collaborations with universities like Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Toronto, University of Melbourne and University of Cape Town. It participates in consortia for projects funded by Horizon 2020 and works with cultural institutions such as Victoria and Albert Museum, National Portrait Gallery, London and Royal Opera House on curatorial and outreach initiatives.

Notable Scholars and Directors

Directors and affiliated scholars have included academics with profiles comparable to those of scholars associated with Cambridge such as Joanna Bourke, Ruth Hubbard, Nira Yuval-Davis, Judith Phillips, Sue Fisher and visiting fellows from institutions including Princeton University, University of California, Berkeley, New York University and Brown University. The centre has hosted visiting professors and fellows with connections to awards and bodies like the Leverhulme Trust, British Academy Fellowship, Guggenheim Fellowship and has been associated with researchers who publish in journals such as Gender & Society, Feminist Review, Signs (journal), Theory, Culture & Society and Sexualities (journal).

Events and Public Engagement

Public-facing activity includes lecture series, conferences and workshops modelled on events like Brighton Festival panels, international symposiums such as European Feminist Research Conference, and collaborations with activist networks including Sisters Uncut and UK Feminista. The centre organises symposia at venues such as Senate House, University of London and partners with media outlets and broadcasters like BBC Radio 4, The Guardian, The Times and New Statesman for public debates. Outreach extends to curatorial projects with institutions such as Museum of London and training programmes delivered in partnership with organisations like Stonewall (charity) and UN Women.

Category:Research centres of the University of Cambridge