The Gender and Identity Student Research Committee (SRC) was established by IAPSS to bring researchers and students together with a common interest in Gender and Identity Studies. The SRC is composed of undergraduate and graduate researchers who conduct research individually and together in the field. Activities include but are not limited to research projects, monthly seminars and webinars, interdisciplinary conferences, publication initiatives, guest lectures, collaborative workshops, film screenings and discussions, library and resource curation, collaborative research networks, policy advocacy, annual reports and publications, and online discussion forums. Please read the current theme and application requirements carefully before applying.
The SRC is founded as a critical and academic space to delve into the intricate web of gender and identity, spotlighting the multifaceted construction, enactment, and navigation of gendered identities within a myriad of societal, economic, cultural, regional, religious and political settings in personal, social and civil domains.It scrutinizes the intricate interplay between gender identity and an array of intersecting social identities, examining the tangled nexus of identities and the perpetuation of social and horizontal inequalities. The endeavour is to underscore a diverse array of epistemological, methodological, practical and theoretical approaches in thoroughly exploring gender and identity along the vantages of various dynamics of ascribed notions.
We cordially invite and accommodate all individuals from a broad spectrum of pertinent social science disciplines. to engage with us. SRC aims to focalize the social, political, cultural, regional and economic experiences of marginalized communities, such as people of colour and individuals identifying as trans, nonbinary, agender, disabled, and LGBQPIA+. The agenda of the SRC, at its core, actively engages with the existing literature on gender and identity, adhering to a scholarly and accessible prose style, ensuring that the discourse resonates with a broad interdisciplinary scholarship building which accessible to everyone.
SRC accommodates and embraces intricate social construction of gendered identities, encompassing a diverse array of identities such as trans, genderqueer, non-binary, agender, bigender, and gender fluid, among others. Exploring the dynamic socialization process into gendered identities over the life course is paramount. It takes note of all the temporalities of time, space, region and agency while conducting its work and related activities.
Furthermore, it is poised to dissect the complex intersections of gender with other salient social identities, such as race, caste, class, ability, sexual orientation, nationality, and religion, elucidating the intricate dynamics at play. The rationale of the SRC extends to gender identity-based social movements, offering critical insights into their evolution and impact from around the globe. It aims to scrutinize how gendered identities both shape and are shaped by various social contexts and institutions, including education, the workplace, political spheres, religious institutions, healthcare systems, and others – resisting entrenched notions of gender and gender-based identities, embracing a radical perspective that challenges conventional norms and paradigms.
Our Research area is as follows (Not exhaustive)
• Caste, Class, Race and Ethnicity
• Society and Culture
• Government, Governance and Beauracratic administration
• Nation, Nationalism and State
• Womxn, Femonationalism, Homonationalism and Feminism
• Non-state Actors and NGOs
• Bio-ethics, body politics and identity
• LGBTQIA+ politics and movements
• Religion, Gender and Queerness
• Technology, AI biases and development
• Reexamining the Classical and Contemporary socio-political Philosophy
• Decolonisation, De-mythification and Debrahmanisation
• Labour and Gig Political Economy and Gendered Industry Gaps
• Activism, Radicalism and Social Actions/Movements
• Sexuality, Desire, Affinities of masculinities and femininities and Gender-identity
• Womxn and Gender Studies
• Experiences, Memory Studies and Agency & Positionality
• Theory and Praxis in Academia
• Global South; Third World, AAME, Peripheral, Marginalia and Subaltern studies
Rationale
Gender and Identity SRC explores how individual and collective identities based on gender spectrum intersect with socio-economic and political processes in the contemporary world. This includes issues related to gender equality, discrimination, LGBTQIA+ rights, social and horizontal inequalities, cultural dimensions, and how identity factors into political representation, policies, appreciation marking and development.
Theoretical Foundation
The theoretical foundation of our SRC is firmly rooted in the principles of intersectionality, appreciation, inclusion, feminism, de-mythification, decolonization, debrahmanisation, critical engagement, and phenomenal development and engagement. We believe in the power of understanding and appreciating the multifaceted nature of human experiences through the exchange of knowledge, especially within the context of marginalized and underrepresented communities.
Our approach is characterized by a commitment to decolonizing gender epistemology by critically examining the methodologies and theoretical frameworks and, simultaneously, embracing that by scholars and activists, particularly from the Global South, the Third World, and the AAME region. We recognize the need to move beyond the dominant paradigms that have traditionally shaped the discourse on gender and identity.
In doing so, we aim to go beyond the prevailing social constructs that revolve around dimensions such as race, class, caste, ethnicity, regionalism, and other markers of identity. We aim to construct a more inclusive, universal, and pluralistic framework that accommodates the diverse experiences of individuals and communities from all walks of life.
We aspire to create a space where everyone can see themselves reflected and positioned within the research and discourse. This approach embraces a holistic and inclusive perspective, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities of gender and identity in the context of the global human experience. Our theoretical foundation is, therefore, grounded in a commitment to social justice, decolonization, and the amplification of voices from historically marginalized regions and communities.
Members are expected to work individually and in groups and contribute to the SRC theme. Interested members must submit their CV and a short research proposal on the SRC theme.
In case of inquiries, please contact the Chair, Dr Meenakshi Bansal, at hrgschair.src@iapss.org. We are looking forward to receiving your application and/or questions about our SRC and projects.
