Zürich 2023 © Christiane Meyer-Habighorst
Zürich 2023 © Christiane Meyer-Habighorst
Logo Swiss Feminist Geographies Group © ASG
Feminist geographies critically delves into the intricate ways that gender, race, sexuality, and class intricately influence and mold our perceptions and interactions with space, place, and the environment. It underscores the paramount importance of understanding how power permeates and operates through intimate realms, including bodies, emotions, daily interactions, and personal relationships.
Over the past two decades, this discipline has undergone substantial development and diversification, branching into various yet interconnected domains such as social, cultural, political, and environmental geography. Each of these realms offers a unique lens through which to examine the complex tapestry of spatial relations and gender dynamics. For instance, feminist political geography meticulously analyzes the intersections of gender with power and politics, shedding light on, for instance, how racialized and gendered bodies of refugees navigate across borders and acclimate to their new environments. Similarly, in urban geography, the focus pivots to scrutinizing how gender intricately shapes urban landscapes and the lived experiences of individuals within these spaces.
A foundational pillar of feminist geographies are its unwavering commitment to conducting research and teaching that are ethically sound, sensitive, and inclusive. This entails a rigorous critical evaluation of research practices and methodologies, with a staunch advocacy for participatory approaches and acute awareness of power imbalances and inequalities. Simultaneously, feminist geographers are at the forefront of innovating pedagogical methodologies, aiming to dismantle gender-biased educational dynamics and decolonize classrooms. This reflects a holistic commitment to fostering an academic environment that is not only equitable but also empowering, providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives to thrive.
Feminist geographies, in its essence, serve as a powerful conduit for challenging and redefining traditional notions of space and place, ensuring that the complex interplay of gender, race, and power is intricately woven into the fabric of geographic inquiry and understanding.
Here are some groups we collaborate with around the world (this is not an extensive list):
YES! (Young and Emerging Scholars) of the IGU Gender and Geography Commission:
https://yesigugender.wixsite.com/yesigugender
AK Feministische Geographien from German speaking countries:
https://ak-feministische-geographien.org/