I have just finished reading Rachel Cusk’s most recent book which reflects on the breakup of her marriage. This book caused quite a stir when it was published in early March – some critics felt it was too self-indulgent, others bemoaned the poor husband and children having their stories so publically aired. I began to read it with great anticipation, however, largely because her previous ‘memoir’ on becoming a mother had been such a fascinating read because it was so bold in the sense that she had not pulled any punches about the reality of pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood. But also, I couldn’t wait to read the book because I have been through (several) moments where I have wondered – would I be better off alone, without my partner – would I be ‘freer’ – to parent and manage the day-to-day as I wished, without compromise and sometimes ‘giving in’? Continue reading “Aftermath – Marriage and the Feminist”
Presumed Innocence: Sexualisation Research at Cardiff University
In today’s increasingly sexualised culture, Cardiff social scientists are working with the Welsh Assembly on the pressures facing young people. Continue reading “Presumed Innocence: Sexualisation Research at Cardiff University”
Modern Girlhoods: A GEA Seedcorn Event
‘Great papers, lots of interesting people and plenty of opportunity for important dialogue’
‘I was totally blown away by Wednesday. Best conference I’ve ever been to, especially the way that the conversations just got more and more interesting as the day went on’
The 8th February 2012 saw another exciting GEA seedcorn event on the theme of Modern Girlhoods. This day seminar was well attended with over 50 participants from Brunel, across the UK and further afield. Continue reading “Modern Girlhoods: A GEA Seedcorn Event”
Interested in becoming a GEA Executive Member?
The Gender and Education Association are looking for new executive members as several current members have completed their term of service.
Being an executive member involves attending 2-3 face to face meetings each year (usually in London) and 2-3 telephone meetings each year. You are also expected to take responsibility for one area of the association’s work (for example: newsletter editor, treasurer, membership) and to take a role in writing content for the website – producing about six posts a year.
We welcome nominations from anywhere in the world and, budget permitting, will make available some funding for non-UK executive members to attend face to face meetings.
If you would be interested in joining the executive please send your name and email address together with a short paragraph of no more than 300 words describing why you would like to be a member of the executive and what you feel you would bring to the role. You can also include the URL of a webpage so that people can find out more about you.
To talk informally about this or to submit your application, please email Gaby Weiner (gaby.weiner@btinternet.com).
Elections will take place via email during April
FINAL DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 31 March 2012.
World Atlas of Gender Equality in Education
A brilliant new resource for ‘visualising the educational pathways’ of males and females and for observing the changes in disparities over time has been launched by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Maps, charts and tables relating to pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary level education worldwide can be downloaded from the UNESCO website.
“It Does Get Better”
Fantastic new single from the L Project that aims to raise awareness and money for charities that work to prevent LGBT bullying among young people
Are we all addicted to theory?
I have been thinking for some time about the way that the field of gender and education has developed in recent years. Once political and outward-looking, involving schools and other extra-university institutions in a joint quest for gender knowled Foto Sf Lite ge, the field seems has atrophied into just another university discipline. Continue reading “Are we all addicted to theory?”
After Girl Power Conference – University of York, 24th / 25th February 2012
After Girl Power opened with a question: why “girl studies”? The readings, papers and discussions that followed demonstrated the importance of studying girls’ experience and culture, and the range of issues that this study addresses. Continue reading “After Girl Power Conference – University of York, 24th / 25th February 2012”
Making sense of porn – using it for good?
Of late I have been trying to work out where I stand in relation to porn. Continue reading “Making sense of porn – using it for good?”
Learned to Kill? Now Teach our Children: A Critique of Troops to Teachers
The UK government, following the lead of the US, is devising multiple ways to get more ex-members of the military into our schools – as teachers, mentors, classroom assistants and basic skills tutors. Continue reading “Learned to Kill? Now Teach our Children: A Critique of Troops to Teachers”