Urban Justice, Gender, and Social Difference

The Urban Justice, Gender, and Social Difference theme at MUI draws together research into urban living, gender and social difference, as they intersect with matters of race, class, health, disability, voice, marginalisation and other markers of difference.

Gender inequality is one of the most enduring social and economic injustices in modern times. the United Nations note, “all too often, women and girls are discriminated against in health, education, political representation, labour market, etc — with negative repercussions for development of their capabilities and their freedom of choice”.

At the same time, these inequalities are intersectional and situated: gender can only be understood in context and alongside other social differences. Furthermore, these intersecting inequalities can be seen across a range of societies and cultures, globally and more locally, as research across MUI and SEED has highlighted. Indeed, one of the core research beacons at The University of Manchester, and led by Humanities, is Addressing Global Inequalities.

Putting feminist principles into practice, Urban Justice, Gender and Social Difference is a research collective, centring an understanding of gender in context and in situ. We bring together interdisciplinary feminist reading groups, organize and support guest speakers and discussion workshops, and engage in social responsibility activities within and beyond the university. Overall, the collective aims to be a hub for researchers of all career stages with interests in feminist approaches to cities and the urban.

The Urban Justice, Gender and Social Difference theme is led by Tanja Bastia, Sarah Marie Hall, Caitlin Henry, and Susie Miles.

Please contact Sarah Marie Hall and Caitlin Henry for more information.