Beyond Borders: Network Synergy in Gender Studies

This paper examines a possible institutionalized embodiment of the discipline of Gender Studies and does so from within the Italian context. The development of Gender Studies within the Italian academic context is examined, particularly focusing on the challenges and advantages of its non-institutionalized status. Unlike the trajectory observed in many Western academic institutions, where second-wave feminist scholars opted for institutionalization through the creation of Women’s and Gender Studies departments and degree programs, Italian scholars have predominantly followed a path of mainstreaming, integrating gender perspectives into existing disciplines rather than creating separate institutional structures. As a result, Gender Studies in Italy remains inherently interdisciplinary, situated between different academic fields and constantly engaged with feminist theories and critiques, adapting them to disciplinary contexts. This interdisciplinary nature is further enriched by ongoing dialogues with social movements, often characterized by positive conflicts. Such contentious dialogues contribute to a critical production of knowledge, ensuring that the feminist agenda remains responsive to new themes, perspectives, and forms of solidarity.