What does it take to shape a feminist research center? How do we incubate feminist projects and envision feminist futures? These questions and more will be explored May 10 at the Center for the Study of Women in Society (CSWS) Alumni Symposium—our culminating fiftieth anniversary event.

More than thirty panelists—comprised of past and present CSWS leaders, research grant fellows, interest group and special project coordinators, and supporters—will share their insights about the long-term influence and impact of the Center and its mission, both on campus and beyond. The all-day event also features a juried poster session of projects by current graduate student research fellows, a special display from the CSWS-funded Outliers and Outlaws Eugene lesbian oral history project, and documentary screenings. 

The symposium will be held at the University of Oregon from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024, in 123 Global Scholars Hall, 1710 E. 15^th Avenue, Eugene. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch is included for participants who register by May 1.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with opening remarks at 9 a.m. During the first panel, “Shaping a Feminist Research Center” (9:30 – 10:45 a.m.), past and present leaders will discuss what has shaped CSWS’s identity as a feminist research center over time and what forces will continue to shape it in the future. Panelists include Victoria DeRose, Tannaz Farsi, Marilyn R. Farwell, Margaret Hallock, Michael Hames-Garcia, Ellen Herman, Ernesto Martinez, Michelle McKinley, and Priscilla Ovalle. CSWS director Sangita Gopal will moderate.

CSWS has supported more than 60 research interest groups (RIGs) and many special projects—some of which became self-sustaining initiatives. The second panel, “Incubating Feminist Futures” (11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.), will discuss the goals and impacts of some of these projects, including the Women of Color Project, the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies, the Northwest Women Writers Symposium, and more. Panelists include Erin Beck, Louise Bishop, Chris Chavez, Alice Evans, Lynn Fujiwara, Gabriela Martinez, Eli Meyer, Malori Musselman, Judith Raiskin, Camisha Russell, and Lynn Stephen. CSWS research dissemination specialist Jenée Wilde will moderate.

The Center has provided more than $3 million in grant funding to faculty, staff, and graduate students at the University of Oregon. The final panel, “Envisioning Feminist Futures” (2–4 p.m.), will discuss the long-term impacts of funding feminist research and brainstorm together what the next five decades may hold. Panelists include Miriam Abelson, Thomas A. Beaumont, Megan Burke, Marjorie Celona, Kate Harkness, Teresa Hernández, Diana Martinez, Ryanne Pilgeram, and Barbara Sutton. CSWS Jane Grant dissertation fellow Marena Lear will moderate. 

During the lunchtime session (12:30 – 1:45 p.m.), symposium participants can browse a juried poster session by 2023-24 CSWS Graduate Student Research Grant fellows and an exhibit from the Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project. Participants can also view two documentaries: Agents of Change: A Legacy of Feminist Research, Teaching, and Activism at the University of Oregon (dir. by Gabriela Martinez) and Outliers and Outlaws: The Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project (short preview of full documentary). Lunch will be provided for registered participants; additional dining options are available in Global Scholars Hall, Erb Memorial Union, and other campus locations.

Information on visitor parking and other transportation options is available from UO Transportation Services. Event questions and ADA accommodation requests can be directed to csws@uoregon.edu. 

Registration: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/9dd244db063243b2acd5a908a162201a