Gender Studies provides tools for understanding society, power and justice

Gender Studies examines gender, sexuality and related power structures, and how they shape people’s lived experiences, as well as society and culture. Gender Studies is a multidisciplinary field that often adopts an intersectional perspective, examining how factors such as gender, age, class, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation intersect and shape people's lives.

“At the University of Oulu, a wide range of Gender Studies research is carried out across several disciplines,” says Pihkala. “In addition to Educational Sciences, research is carried out in fields such as History and Cultural Anthropology. Key themes include gender, relationships, equality and non-discrimination in a variety of contexts, including upbringing, education, media and knowledge production.”

Making sense of a changing society

Over the years, Pihkala’s curiosity about the themes explored in Gender Studies has taken on new dimensions. Today, she believes that the knowledge produced by the field is valuable not only to those with a particular interest in the subject, but also to anyone seeking to better understand society, power relations and justice.

“Gender Studies is especially relevant today, as we are experiencing major social, environmental and technological changes. At the same time, progress towards equality is facing pushback, and the rights of gender and sexual minorities are being increasingly challenged around the world. Amid major societal changes and crises, it is important to continue advancing equality and non-discrimination and to produce research-based knowledge to support decision-making, education and technological development,” Pihkala emphasises.

Diverse study opportunities

At the University of Oulu, students can complete basic and intermediate studies in Gender Studies. Starting this academic year, the basic studies module is also available through the Open University, giving even more people the opportunity to explore the field. Students can also continue in the field through postgraduate studies. In addition, the University of Oulu is part of the national Hilma Network, which offers further opportunities to deepen studies in Gender Studies.

You can learn more about the field and its study opportunities on the Gender Studies website.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Oulu Pride Week, and welcome to join the Oulu Pride parade!

After the parade, a park festival will be held in Kuusisaari, where you can visit the University of Oulu’s tent. At the tent, you can meet representatives from Ooka, the rainbow association for higher education students in Oulu; the Queer UniOulu staff network; Gender Studies; and the University’s Equality and Diversity Committee.