La féminisation de l’espace public comme instrument politique : Pratiques et enjeux d’une politique de féminisation des noms de salles de cours à l’université

Details

Supervisors

Hambye, Philippe

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master de spécialisation en études de genre

Abstract

enThis work on the feminization of classroom names in a French-speaking Belgian university is based on observations made during an internship at the university’s Gender and Equality Council. First, we develop a theoretical framework to understand the political and gendered dimensions of toponymy studies, as well as the specific context of the feminization process in an academic setting. We also draw on social identity and self-categorization theories, concluding with an analysis of inclusive writing guidelines. The second part provides a detailed account of the observations made. We then present the research question, which examines to what extent the introduction of guidelines in the feminization process influences its acceptance and implementation, particularly regarding resistance to change within the university community. Finally, the discussion and interpretation section connects the theoretical framework with the observations, proposing hypotheses on: implicit resistance due to identity threat, the impact of political stakes among different change actors, the way guidelines were drafted and received and the university’s specific context in addressing the feminization of classroom names.