PSA Women and Politics & GAIN Conference 2025 Registration *now open* and information on Yvonne Galligan and Fiona Mackay’s retirement celebrations
Troubled Times: Gender and Politics in the 21st Century
PSA Women and Politics Conference 2025
Hosted by the Gender and Inequalities (GAIN) Centre at the University of Southampton
17th – 18th June 2025
We are delighted that the GAIN Centre will be hosting the Political Studies Association Women and Politics Annual Conference at the University of Southampton in June 2025.
Overview
The backlash against gender equality can be found in public opinion, public policy and recent election results across the globe. Conservative movements, populist politics, and media representation have coalesced to push back against gender equity gains, meaning gender equality actors are forced to resist and contest this backsliding. The rise of anti-feminist rhetoric and the erosion of reproductive rights are symptomatic of a broader political climate that seeks to reassert traditional gender norms and undermine the feminist agenda. Yet, alongside these challenges, feminist activism and scholarship continue to pushback, developing strategies to counteract and resist the roll back of hard-won feminist gains. Amid these struggles, there are also signs of hope, with some countries continuing to advance equality, enshrining protections in policies, legislation, and constitutions – progress that deserves recognition and celebration.
With papers from across time and space, this conference analyses the causes and impact of equality backlash and backsliding while centring gender politics scholarship and activism that resist these trends.
Location: Sir James Matthews Building, University of Southampton
Dates: The conference will begin at 12:30pm on Tuesday 17th June and conclude at 12pm on Wednesday 18th June.
Registration
We’re pleased to let you know that registration is now open for both presenters and attendees, and you can register using this link. Please make sure to complete your registration by 13th June 2025, when registration will close.
Retirement Celebrations and ‘In Conversation’ event
We are delighted to announce that our conference includes a panel and reception celebrating the retirement and achievements of Professor Fiona Mackay (University of Edinburgh) and Professor Yvonne Galligan (Technological University Dublin). On the first night, we will be having an ‘In Conversation‘ event where we discuss the careers of both Yvonne and Fiona, and would like to gather questions and reflections. So, we have created this form to collect your questions and thoughts to share at the conference.
You are also welcome to ask questions on the day, but this form offers an opportunity to submit questions beforehand for those attending but also for those that are unable to make it.