On February 28, more than 30 faculty and graduate students across disciplines gathered together to discuss tools and strategies for feminist teaching and research in this political moment. An interdisciplinary panel started the event, which featured: Dana Howard, Department of Biomedical Education, Anatomy, and Philosophy; Shameka Poetry Thomas, Center for Bioethics; fabian romero, Department of Comparative Studies; and Mary Thomas, Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. The panel briefly discussed the current stakes of feminism and higher education in their field. 

Two graduate students, Maya Wadhwa (current FREE Center GRA and MA Student in the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) and Alyssa Bedrosian (PhD Candidate in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese), also shared reflections, questions, and concerns on behalf of graduate students. Full group conversation followed. 

The majority of the conversation discussed the closure of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the discounting of programs and services from the Center for Belonging and Social Change, and the renaming of the Office of Institutional Equity, which was shared with the OSU community one day before the event. 

During and after the event, attendees expressed gratitude to the FREE Center for hosting such a timely conversation. Many felt that this event created space for solidarity-building, interdisciplinary conversations, and generated tools for feminist research and teaching. 

The FREE Center, housed in the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, is a hub for community-engaged feminist research and teaching that brings together individuals from across the university and Columbus community. 

To learn more about the FREE Center and upcoming events, visit the FREE Center website.