School of Social and Political Science

Description

Join us to celebrate Meryl Kenny's professorship at her inaugural lecture.

How do gendered institutions change (and stay the same)

Institutions profoundly shape political life. They are also gendered – reflecting, structuring and reinforcing power inequalities. Changing institutions in the pursuit of gender equality and gender justice is, therefore, never an easy task. Formal gender equality reforms are often met by resistance and backlash, and/or undermined by informal ‘ways of doing things’ on the ground.

In this inaugural lecture, I ask how gendered institutions change (and stay the same), reflecting on the foundations and development of the field of feminist institutionalism, and its impact both within and beyond the academy. Drawing on ongoing research on ‘new’ political institutions, political parties and the gendered dynamics of institutional (re)design, I examine the importance of the ‘inner life’ and everyday reproduction of institutions. It is here where the formal and informal dynamics of contestation, change and resistance are often most visible, and where ‘small wins’ (or losses) can add up to more significant institutional shifts. The lecture concludes with some reflections on strategies for achieving gender equitable institutional change.

Please note that this lecture might be filmed.

Timings: 5.15-6.30pm: Lecture in Meadows Lecture Theatre

Followed by a reception in the Chrystal Macmillan Building foyer until 7.30pm