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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA Year of Building Community, Advancing Research, and Driving Conversations on Gender and Inequalities<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
As we reflect on the past academic year, we are proud of what the Gender and Inequalities (GAIN) Centre has achieved since its launch. Established as an interdisciplinary hub bringing together scholars from across the University of Southampton, GAIN has quickly become a space for collaboration, critical discussion, and innovative research on gender and inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From launching the Centre and welcoming leading international scholars to supporting postgraduate researchers and hosting a major national conference, the year has been defined by a commitment to fostering research excellence and building connections across disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Launching GAIN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The official launch of GAIN in spring 2025 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for gender and inequalities research at Southampton. Our inaugural event, Challenges of Studying Gender and Inequalities in the 21st Century<\/em>, brought together colleagues and students from across Politics, Sociology, Economics, and beyond to discuss the evolving landscape of research on gender and inequality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The roundtable featured contributions from Professor Elizabeth Evans, Dr Valentina Tonei, Dr Maria Villares-Varela, and Dr Charlie Walker, who reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing scholars working on gender and inequalities in a rapidly changing social and political environment. Discussions highlighted the importance of intersectionality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating supportive academic communities. The event concluded with a reception celebrating the launch of the Centre and providing an opportunity for new collaborations to emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of GAIN’s central aims is to create opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and career stages. Throughout the year, we brought together colleagues interested in developing new research partnerships and exploring funding opportunities related to gender and inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A particular highlight was our Gender and Inequalities Research Collaboration Event, which encouraged researchers from across the University to connect around shared interests and future projects. The conversations generated through this event led to the creation of a Centre-wide database of members’ research interests and expertise, helping colleagues identify potential collaborators and develop new interdisciplinary research partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supporting postgraduate and early-career researchers has also been a key priority. Alongside our small grants scheme for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and teaching fellows, GAIN hosted its first Gender and Inequalities Research Workshop in December. The workshop provided a supportive environment for researchers to present work-in-progress and receive constructive feedback from colleagues across the School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presentations covered a wide range of topics, including domestic abuse services in rural England, parental leave and household bargaining, housing and social interactions, and women’s career progression. The workshop showcased the breadth of emerging research being undertaken by early-career scholars and demonstrated the value of creating spaces for interdisciplinary discussion and peer support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A key part of GAIN’s mission is creating opportunities for researchers and students to engage with cutting-edge scholarship and innovative methodologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the year’s highlights was our Spring Into Methods<\/em> workshop, which explored how intersectionality can inform research design and practice. Bringing together postgraduate researchers and staff from across the University, the event examined how scholars can apply intersectional approaches in both qualitative and quantitative research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Silke Roth reflected on studying social change organisations through an intersectional lens, Dr Matthew Hunt discussed experimental approaches to understanding intersectional meaning, and Dr Emilia Belknap explored feminist focus groups and strategies for mitigating power hierarchies while encouraging collective meaning-making. Together, the sessions demonstrated how intersectionality can be translated from theory into practical research approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our seminar programme also welcomed a number of distinguished visiting scholars whose work speaks directly to the Centre’s core themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In December, GAIN welcomed Dr Malu Gatto (University College London), to the Politics and International Relations department seminar who presented research examining the visibility of LGBTQ+ politicians during Brazil’s 2024 municipal elections. Drawing on individual-level candidate data and information on local electoral contexts, the project explored the strategic considerations that shape whether LGBTQ+ candidates choose to publicly disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity during election campaigns. The research examined how factors such as party affiliation, electoral experience, political competition, and local conservatism influence disclosure decisions, shedding light on the complex relationship between identity, representation, and electoral strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, GAIN co-hosted Professor Karen Johnston, Professor of Organisational Studies at the University of Portsmouth, alongside the Department of Politics and International Relations. Professor Johnston delivered both a research seminar and a guest lecture focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion in public administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her seminar, Last of the JEDI’s:<\/em>“Coloured”<\/em> Women’s Active Representation in Apartheid’s Public Education Sector<\/em>, explored the experiences of women working within South Africa’s apartheid-era education system. Drawing on interviews with women who resisted apartheid while employed as public servants, the research examined the intersection of race, class, and gender, demonstrating how individuals used their positions within institutions to challenge oppression and advance justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion despite significant personal risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In May, GAIN welcomed Professor Johanna Rickne of Stockholm University, whose work lies at the intersection of labour economics, political economy, and gender studies. Her seminar presented findings from a large-scale study of nearly 25,000 respondents in Norway examining how people understand and respond to stories of sexual harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GAIN also co-supported, alongside the Gender Institute at Royal Holloway,a research workshop convened by Dr Jessica Smith (University of Southampton) and Professor Jennifer Piscopo (Royal Holloway, University of London), A New Woman Leader? Gender Bias and Changing Evaluations of Women in Politics<\/em>. Bringing together scholars working across gender and politics, political behaviour, political psychology, and political sociology, the workshop examined whether and how voter evaluations of women politicians are changing in contemporary democracies. Discussions explored emerging evidence on shifting patterns of gender bias, alongside questions about whether existing research methods remain capable of capturing how gender shapes political evaluations. The workshop also provided an important opportunity to develop new collaborations across institutions, identify shared research agendas, and explore opportunities for future funding applications and joint research projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The research demonstrated that framing matters: respondents were less likely to identify behaviour as sexual harassment when incidents were described as accusations rather than victimisation, when victims were male, or when behaviour was verbal rather than physical. The seminar generated lively discussion about workplace culture, public attitudes, and the continuing challenges involved in preventing and responding to gender-based inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A major milestone for the Centre came in June 2025 when GAIN hosted the Political Studies Association Women and Politics Specialist Group Annual Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the theme Troubled Times: Gender and Politics in the 21st Century<\/em>, the conference brought together scholars from across the UK and Europe to explore contemporary challenges facing gender equality, democratic participation, and feminist politics. Across two days, participants presented research on topics including anti-feminist backlash, democratic resilience, political representation, public policy, nationalism, feminist activism, and global inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The conference reflected GAIN’s interdisciplinary ethos, bringing together political scientists, sociologists, historians, and scholars from related fields in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. The event also provided valuable opportunities for postgraduate and early-career researchers to share their work alongside established scholars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A particular highlight was a special In Conversation<\/em> event celebrating the careers of Professor Fiona Mackay and Professor Yvonne Galligan. Their reflections on feminist scholarship, academic leadership, and the development of the field offered inspiration and insight for researchers across all career stages. We were delighted to celebrate their remarkable contributions to the study of gender and politics alongside colleagues, collaborators, and former students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As GAIN completes its first full year of activity, we are grateful to everyone who has contributed to the Centre’s growth and success. The enthusiasm shown by colleagues, students, visiting speakers, and conference participants demonstrates the value of creating spaces for interdisciplinary dialogue on gender and inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past year, GAIN has established itself as a welcoming and collaborative research community, supporting scholars at all career stages while fostering conversations that connect research, policy, and practice. We look forward to building on these foundations through new events, research initiatives, partnerships, and opportunities for engagement in the coming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you to everyone who has been part of GAIN’s first year. We are excited to continue growing this community and advancing research on gender and inequalities together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay Connected<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Email: GAIN@soton.ac.uk<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gender and Inequalities Research Centre (GAIN), University of Southampton<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow us on Bluesky: @gain-centre.bsky.social<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nBuilding a Research Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Advancing Research Through Seminars and Methodological Exchange<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hosting the PSA Women and Politics Annual Conference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n