The Gender and Violence Interdisciplinary Research Group was constituted in 2015 by a group of faculty whose research focuses on gendered patterns of violence. The interest in cross-disciplinary conversations stemmed from our recognition that violence is linked with issues of gender in a myriad of ways. These linkages are complex, often contradictory, requiring careful scholarly work to sort out the meanings and implications. The idea for such a group germinated during the monthly associates meetings of the Center for Women & Work, and was mobilized into action through a Collaborative Mentoring Grant from the College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

The group consists of Asst. Professors Urmitapa Dutta (Project Convener) from the Psychology Department, Jenifer Whitten-Woodring (co-convener) from Political Science, Christopher Allen from the Psychology Department, and Cheryl Llewellyn from the Sociology Department. The group has a two-fold objective:

  1. To bring together diverse disciplinary perspectives that advance our understanding of issues related to gendered violence in different parts of the world
  2. To generate possibilities for intervention – theory, praxis, and policy.