GRADE Center Gender

Gender differences, gender orders, gender regimes and gender relations are scientifically challenging and politically hotly contested fields of debate. Worldwide, gender relations are undergoing a process of change characterised by ambivalent and contradictory observations and developments. On the one hand, the erosion of traditional gender orders and the 'feminine' and 'masculine' gender images based on them is a widely recognised fact. On the other hand, anti-feminist backlash movements deny and combat this fact and advocate a re-traditionalisation of the gender order.

Of central importance for the analysis of gender relations in the context of current challenges are intersektional perspectives, i.e. the systematic inclusion of various inequalities and their interconnections, transdisciplinary approaches as well as globalisation and transnationalisation processes, which today have a decisive influence on the structures and dynamics of gender orders and gender regimes in many respects. The GRADE Center takes up this broad range of issues and aims to advance the analysis of these questions through a combination of theoretical and empirical investigations. With its workshops, lecture series, field trips and other activities, GRADE Gender offers a wide range of opportunities to deepen theoretical and methodological skills in the field of gender studies and gives its members the opportunity to discuss current problems and new research approaches with renowned experts.

Research areas in the field of gender studies include historical and local topics as well as international comparative and post-colonial perspectives. Core areas of gender studies include: Feminist theory, queer theory, sexuality studies, masculinities and masculinities research, intersektionality and diversity research, gender justice and equality/equality, transnational migrations and social movements, care/provision, critical media studies and transdisciplinary methods, and feminist critique of science and technology. The research programme of GRADE Gender focuses on the study of gender in relation to other social categories such as race/ethnicity, social origin, age and sex. The following disciplines are currently represented in GRADE Gender Education, Film Studies, Human Geography, Judaic Studies, Korean Studies, Art Education, Political Science, Law, Sociology and Theatre Studies. GRADE Gender is open for further cooperation.

The interdisciplinary GRADE Center Gender promotes and supports doctoral students and postdocs with a gender-related qualification project in the development of sustainable and significant research questions on the basis of the current state of research. GRADE Gender offers researchers in the first phase of their academic career effective and targeted support at the highest international level. At the same time, it provides the necessary support to complete a dissertation or habilitation successfully and on time. With a wide range of thematic and methodological workshops, GRADE Gender creates a forum for the discussion and development of dissertation and habilitation projects in exchange with internationally renowned researchers. Members of GRADE Gender have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary lecture series on changing topics and an annual international summer school. The events not only serve the scientific exchange and the systematic development of own research projects, but also offer the opportunity to establish stable collegial and international networks. Last but not least, they contribute to the improvement and strengthening of key career-enhancing soft skills such as discussion and presentation skills. GRADE Gender thus creates excellent conditions for the development and implementation of gender-related qualification projects and the establishment of sustainable support networks.