The Gender Studies project is about the resilience of Ukrainian universities in wartime. It will focus on support for the academia of gender studies.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has challenged all aspects of academic life and work. This project stresses that the forced displacement of students, academic staff, and personnel has, in many cases, transferred teaching and learning to online platforms. Shortages in the state budget and decreased funds from students’ tuition fees, research grants and other economic activity have resulted in lack of funding for academic programs and salaries. Additionally, the war has strengthened nationalist and militarist discourse in Ukraine, accompanied by re-traditionalization and rhetoric on men’s and women’s roles.
The project addresses an urgent need of gender studies as an academic field at Ukrainian universities. It will contribute to the resistance of the current anti-gender backlash. The project aims to do primarily four things. First, develop a supportive network of gender studies scholars. Second, develop a digital course on gendered society. Third, create a gender equality strategy and activity plan. Fourth, develop a digital platform for gender studies teaching and learning.