【Event】November 17, 2025 5:00pm - 6:30pm [JST]
Big IDEAS - Shifting Shape: Gender in the structure of Intersectionality in the 21st century.
Prof. Bandana PURKAYASTHA, University of Connecticut, International Sociological Association: Vice President for National Associations

Abstract
From the middle of the 20th century, the scholarship on gender has grown exponentially through the analysis of structures that created and maintained gendered amidst intersectional hierarchies. During this period, collective organizing has led to changes in the institutional arrangements, routinized practices and ideologies that contributed to the hierarchy. Nonetheless the hierarchies did not dissipate. In this talk I will reflect on 21st century structures, including the ways in which structures have shifted shape. While shape shifting refers to the ability of mythical beings to change their form, I use the phrase to highlight the ways in which some of the older ideologies and structures are reappearing in new forms in the 21st century. Driven by significant changes and reach of technology, the shifts in political and economic landscapes, and the development of a range of new global entities such as security regimes, this century has heralded new power formations. How should we reflect on our understandings of gender and intersectionality amidst these changes? Our growing awareness of knowledge hierarchies has led us towards refining our concepts paying particular attention to concepts and methodologies developed across the world. As part of that process, I propose we also pay attention to the shape-shifting formations of power that continue to reconstruct hierarchies.

Date:

November 17, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm [JST]

Venue:

Hybrid event (online and in-person)
Food Science and Technology Building Conference Room 1, University of Tokyo Yayoi Campus Map

Language:

English

Bandana Purkayastha Associate Dean, Social Sciences, Regional Campuses, and Community Engagement. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, University of Connecticut. Sociology.

International Sociological Association: Vice President for National Associations, 2023-2027. American Sociological Association: Asia and Asian American section's Contribution to the Field (career) award, 2016; Jessie Bernard award (career award), 2019. Sociologists for Women in Society: President, 2013-2014; Feminist Mentoring award (2018).