More than 35 feminist scholars from across the university gathered on Nov. 15 to mark the launch of the new Ohio State Center for Feminist Research, Education, and Engagement (FREE Center).

The “Collaborative Dream Session” kickoff event, held at the Ohio State STEAM Factory in downtown Columbus, provided an opportunity for faculty to collectively imagine how the FREE Center can best serve the campus and greater Columbus communities. Faculty from a wide range of disciplines shared current research projects and goals, exchanged ideas about how to foster collaborative feminist research, and identified potential research and engagement clusters.

“It was inspiring to gather with so many scholars, coming from across the university and from multiple disciplines, to think together about feminist engaged research,” said Dr. Mytheli Sreenivas, chair of the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and member of the Center’s advisory board. “There are so many possibilities for building on our strengths and creating new communities of feminist collaborative research at Ohio State."

The FREE Center is a new hub for community-engaged feminist research and teaching that will bring together individuals from across the university and the Columbus community. Supported by a five-year, $500,000 grant from the Office of Academic Affairs, the Center aims to inspire, generate, and support collaborative research and community engagement projects rooted in feminist approaches and perspectives. It is led by a faculty advisory board including Dr. Mary Thomas, Dr. Alison Norris, Dr. Lori Patton Davis, and Dr. Mytheli Sreenivas.

During the spring 2024 semester, the Center will facilitate smaller group sessions for research and engagement clusters, continue to build feminist community, and hold public events. Funding opportunities for faculty will also become available. Additional information will be shared in early 2024.

To learn more about the FREE Center, visit wgss.osu.edu/community/free-center.