Gender and Research: A seminar led by Réjane Sénac

Réjane Sénac, CNRS Head of research at the Centre for Political Research at Sciences Po (CEVIPOF)

The transdisciplinary seminar 'Gender and research' is part of the Research and Teaching Programme of Knowledge on Gender (PRESAGE). Its objective is to create a collective of reflection and research around the work of PhD students, as well as master's 1 and 2 students, explicitly enrolling in so-called gender studies or for which the question of equality policies is helpful. The challenge is for students from different disciplines to dialogue around common themes or questions (methodological issues, identity and equality politics, fight against discrimination, intersectionality, sexualities, politicization, mobilizations, etc.). 

Testimonials from students

Tristan Boursier, PhD student in Political Science, Political Theory major"

The Gender and Research seminar was a great opportunity for me in my academic career. It allowed me to meet people with whom I share research interests and to keep me informed on the latest news of the latest work in Gender studies. This seminar was also a test for a paper that I was able to present and for which I received valuable comments.

Claudia De Campos, Master student in Political Science, Political Theory major

"I found the Gender and Research Seminar extremely rewarding, especially with regard to my own research process as a student of the Master of Political Theory. First of all, this seminar shows powerfully the collective aspect of any research process because it allows individual projects to open to group discussions. In this way, we confront our certainties with those of others and we participate in a privileged space for discussion on gender issues. The most rewarding, however, is the opportunity that this seminar offers to meet researchers with fascinating work. The diversity of their approaches exemplifies the richness of gender studies. I encourage fellow students to participate because you always learn something even when you are a non-specialist from the angle explored during a particular session. To benefit from the contribution of Ms. Sénac and the researchers who come to meet us is truly a privilege".

Anouk Lamé, master in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA)

"I participated in the "Gender and Research" seminar during my last year of master's degree in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action at PSIA, while I was writing my research thesis on gender-related violence and migration. This seminar was an opportunity for me to discuss within a group bringing together other master's students from different disciplines but also PhD students on common research topics. Beyond the benevolent framework of exchanges and discussion led by Réjane Sénac, this seminar was above all an opportunity to meet renowned researchers and to refine my understanding of the challenges and methods of feminist research, and how certain concepts, such as intimacy or vulnerability, transcend disciplines and research topics. Depending on your personal constraints, it is possible to invest more or less in the participatory organization of the seminar, for my part I participated in the organization of one of the round tables around the researcher Jane Freedman, which was one of the highlights of my last semester at Sciences Po!"

Amandine le Bellec, PhD student in Political Science, Comparative Politics major

"I have been participating in the Gender and Research seminar organized by Réjane Sénac for almost three years (from my master's degree to my second year of thesis), and it continues to provide me with just as much. It is really a fascinating seminar, and the format, which is based both on the presentation of the work of speakers, on the sharing of students' productions and on a teaching part, makes it possible to ensure that it is always adapted to the needs and to the desires of the students since we collectively discuss the choice of themes. What struck me was above all the diversity and intellectual generosity of the guest speakers, who are really in a dynamic of dialogue and personally, it allowed me to meet researchers with whom I still remain in contact today. To sum up, I think it is an essential seminar for all those interested in gender issues, and this whatever either your level of education or your knowledge, because it always brings something different to each level."

Delia Nedelcu, master in European Affairs, School of Public Affairs

"The seminar was an excellent opportunity to pursue my interest in gender studies at Sciences Po. Being a transversal course, it allowed me to acquire knowledge on several dimensions of gender studies which I could not access in my public affairs studies. Bringing together students with similar interests and diverse backgrounds, we could share our own research and get feedback from other participants in a friendly manner. I really appreciated the organization of this teaching, having defined the sessions with Madame Sénac who allowed us to choose the subjects and themes that interest us, and even to propose speakers. As we sometimes introduced the subjects and debates during teaching, this gave us an autonomy that we would not find elsewhere and even a first glimpse into the teaching of others. Since the seminar is research-oriented, I also had the chance to get advice on how to conduct it properly, how to position myself as a researcher, respecting the words and life experiences of our interlocutors. I think this class is one of a kind at Sciences Po and I hope it will continue to attract passionate students in the following years. Personally, being very interested in the development of gender studies in France, I look forward to the next sessions of the seminar."

Marie Plagnol, master in Public Policy, School of Public Affairs

" I have been a Sciences Po student since my undergraduates studies, and had the chance to be introduced to gender studies in my second year. Over the years, I have found the challenges that gender raises to different social science disciplines at the intersection of those in which I am interested. The Gender & Research seminar led by Réjane Sénac allowed me, as a conclusion to my Sciences Po years, to reflect on the diversity of the projects presented by the invited researchers and on the way in which gender calls for a critical study of the objects of sociology, economics, political science ... It was a promising context to mature a research project in Art History, to be tackled with the theoretical background in gender studies acquired at Sciences Po."