Centre for Women's Studies
The Centre for Women's Studies at York (CWS) is among the most well-established bases for feminist and gender-oriented teaching and research, both in the UK and internationally. Drawing on social science and arts-based methods, we explore and critique gendered ways of knowing. We adopt an inclusive, intersectional, transnational and interdisciplinary approach to the changing nature of women's experiences, gender relations and identities.
CWS is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1984, it has become a leading centre for interdisciplinary, transnational and intersectional women's and gender studies. Look out for events across the year to mark this milestone.
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Postgraduate taught
Research
Find out more about Women's Studies Now!
Find out more about CWS Student Wellbeing and Support
Watch CWS's Inaugural Annual Lecture with Avtar Brah
Events
News
Her name was Sita – Documentary Film and Panel Discussion on shame, suicide, and self-harm in South Asia
Posted on Wednesday 24 July 2024
Asha Abeyasekera was invited to be a panellist for a discussion on womanhood, virtue, shame, and suicide in South Asia hosted by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 17th July 2024.
Barbie at the Design Museum
Posted on Tuesday 23 July 2024
Congratulations to CWS PhD student Daisy MacManaman on the publication of her article on the Barbie exhibition at the Design Museum in London in The Conversation.
Urban Studies Foundation- Knowledge Mobilization Award
Posted on Tuesday 23 July 2024
Asha Abeyasekera was awarded a Knowledge Mobilization Award (KMA) from the Urban Studies Foundation (USF) to build a community manifesto on housing and urban planning with poor working-class communities in Central Colombo.
What our students say
"Make the most of your time at this great centre - the more you put in the more you'll get out of it (and the sky's the limit for that)!" - Lotika (former PhD student)
Read more students' experiences at the CWS.