Would you like to contribute to a new Norwegian textbook on Gender Studies?

We are sending out a call for contributions to all researchers working in this field in Norway. The form of the book allows for shorter and longer contributions in a variety of formats. We have selected this novel form because we are hoping for a polyvocal volume with contributions from a range of researchers and educators working with gender and gender related themes in Norway. We want to ensure that the book represents disciplinary diversity and that its contributors represent the diversity of researchers in this field in Norway. Although this textbook is not a conventional anthology, submitted contributions will be subject to selection by the editors. Selected contributions will receive feedback in author workshops and from the editors, as well as from external reviewers provided by the publisher. 

Doing Gender Studies will address the key concepts and ways of thinking that students need to approach material like gender studies scholars do, that is, across disciplines and through different approaches. The text is driven by a single key question: “What are the various ways of doing gender studies that are valued by gender studies scholars in Norway today?” 

Gender studies in Norway is a thriving, interdisciplinary field that attracts students from a wide range of academic disciplines and fields of study. Students turn to gender studies courses for the topicality and social relevance of the field—as evidenced in its visibility in public debate both locally and internationally – and to pursue existential questions regarding gender diversity, sexuality and identity. Gender studies is not a uniform field but rather is characterized by many different approaches and methodologies. In common, however, overarching question about how gender, power and differences are pivot points for thinking about lived experiences, differences and structural mechanisms for the production of (in)equality.

With important new directions in the field and increasing collaboration with other disciplines, it is important to create teaching materials that reflect this diversity while simultaneously centralizing current work being done in order to attract new students and further develop our study programs.

Format

With the last textbook published in 2008, there is a clear need for updated teaching resources. We see this as an opportunity for the gender studies community to contribute, and to showcase the variation in approaches and perspectives within the field. One goal of the book is that it should contribute to students being able to find entrances to, and weigh in on, the many tensions and discussions that make gender studies a lively and dynamic field. As such, there are different types of contributions that we envisage.

Longer contributions:

1. Teach your research area! An in-depth chapter on a particular topic or the ways in which you use a particular concept or method in your research and project work (2500-4000 words)
2. Using insights from gender studies to understand a public debate, social media content or popular culture (2500-4000 words)
3. Presentation of a central debate or tension within the field of gender studies (2500-4000 words)
4. Interview or dialogue: We are interested in researchers and educators’ explanations of their own journey towards conceptualizing and understanding what gender studies is to them, how they work and why they work. For the interview or dialogue, we invite you to pair up with a colleague to work through these questions. (2500-4000)

Shorter contributions:

5. Explanation of a key concept that you use in your teaching (performativity, heteronormativity, intersectionality, etc). (up to 500 words).
6. Answering a commonly-asked student question: In this section, we invite you to answer a commonly asked question – either one you come up with yourself or provided by the editors (up to 500 words)
7. Student perspectives: Suggest a former student to contribute with a short text that answers the following questions: What did you take away from gender studies? How has it impacted you? (up to 500 words)

Submission Process

If you are interested in proposing a contribution to be published in this book, please submit the following:

• Type of submission (please refer to the list above)

• For contributions 1-4, please submit a 100-200 word abstract
• For contributions 5-7, please send us a few lines by email.
• Author(s) contact information & affiliation

Proposals due by:  January 30, 2025, by e-mail to all three editors: Jennifer Branlat (NTNU): jennifer.branlat@ntnu.no, Ingvil Hellstrand (UiS): ingvil.f.hellstrand@uis.no and Sara E. S. Orning (UiO): s.e.s.orning@stk.uio.no

Timeline for publication:

• Authors will be notified by March 1, 2025 about the status of their proposals and sent concrete contribution guidelines.
• Draft submissions are due on June 1, 2025.
• Final submissions are due by December 1, 2025.

Contributors will be invited to participate in two workshops before the final deadline.

Please get in contact if you have questions.