Feminist Institutionalism, 20 Years On:
Resistance and Resilience in Times of Gender Equality Contestation – An International Conference
26 – 27 January, 2027
Uppsala University
Feminist institutionalism has established itself as a key framework for understanding progress toward gender equality, institutional change, and the persistence of male dominance. Twenty years on, the political and social landscape has shifted markedly. Gender equality gains can no longer be taken for granted; instead, they are increasingly subject to contestation and sustained pressure across political, social, and organizational arenas. In this new context, questions arise about the analytical reach of feminist institutionalism: how well does its conceptual toolbox capture resistance to gender equality, or the resilience of gender-equal institutions and practices under strain?
This international conference celebrates the contributions of feminist institutionalism over 20 years while also critically assessing, extending, and updating the framework in light of contemporary challenges – to ensure it remains innovative, relevant, and groundbreaking for the decades to come.
Conference Format
The format will include parallel thematic panels, plenary speeches, and roundtable discussions. Panel participants are expected to provide written papers. Selected papers will be organised into thematic panels with designated discussants. We anticipate around 100 participants and will aim to create an inclusive, supportive environment for robust intellectual exchange.
Convenors
Elin Bjarnegård
Elin Bjarnegård is Professor of Political Science at Uppsala University. Her research lies at the intersection of comparative politics and gender studies, with a particular focus on feminist institutionalism, masculinities, political parties, violence, and corruption. She is the author of the book Gender, Informal Institutions and Political Recruitment (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013) and co-editor of Gendering Party Politics: Feminist Institutionalist Perspectives (Oxford University Press, 2025). Bjarnegård is also a co-editor of the book series Studies in Feminist Institutionalism with Oxford University Press.
Josefina Erikson
Josefina Erikson is a professor in the Department of Government, Uppsala University, specializing in gender and politics. In particular, her research engages with how gender shapes the conditions and outcomes of politics across a number of research projects. For example, addressing gender equality in the Swedish parliament, conditions for political leadership, and policy struggles in the European Union. In addition to that, she has worked as a consultant for the Swedish parliament, and for several international organizations.
Cecilia Josefsson
Cecilia Josefsson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Government at Uppsala University in Sweden. Her research explores political institutions and representation from a gender perspective across diverse contexts, including sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Scandinavia. She has worked on resistance to gender equality policy, gendered working conditions in parliaments, violence against politicians, and women’s substantive representation in legislatures.
The conference is organized by the Feminism and Institutionalism International Network (FIIN), a body of feminist scholars from over 50 countries who study social and political institutions through a gender lens. FIIN was inaugurated at a workshop at the University of Edinburgh in December 2006. This conference thus marks twenty years of feminist institutionalism. For more information about FIIN, see www.femfiin.org
Contact
Phone: +46 18 671533 or +46 18 671003
Email: fiin2027@akademikonferens.se
Important dates
June 3 – Abstract submission opens
September 10 – Deadline abstract submission
October 1 – Acceptance notice
October 1 – December 15: Registration (early bird)
Full draft papers should be circulated to panelists a week before the conference.
Organiser:
