Feminist Perspectives on Reimagining Global Politics

International Relations is about the interconnections that shape real political experiences. As we observe the resurgence of coup d’états in Africa, Russia’s war in Ukraine, states and international organisations must grapple with providing security to the most vulnerable while also finding solutions to transnational reversals. Within states, we are also witnessing the increasing roll back on rights around the world from the United States to Uganda. Meanwhile the transnational reverberations of the global pandemic and other crises influence both social and political aspects of our lives with dire consequences for the already marginalised including women, non-binary and LGBTIQ+ folks. Within a hierarchical international system, the impact of the crises is especially acute on the global majority. Amidst the seemingly never-ending crises, what is evident is that understanding and responding to these crises and upending the status quo requires a holistic understanding of global politics, and a rethinking of global politics that is being offered by feminists and queer scholars, theorists and activists. In response, we see more and more countries adopt feminist foreign policies intended to offer different and emancipatory ways of doing international politics. At the same time, it is unclear if these state policies can transform the international system, with its entrenched hierarchies. Meanwhile there is a parallel and loud transnational ‘anti-gender’ backlash with implications for gender justice and emancipatory discourses as well as the lived realities of marginalised (groups of) persons. How do we deal with all these contestations in global politics? By facilitating cross-disciplinary conversations and dialogue among scholars, activists and creators. Thus, the section seeks feminist understandings, explanations, critique and responses to ongoing global transnational crises. We seek to push the boundaries of existing approaches to understand, expand the horizons of current methodologies for comprehending global (dis)connections, diversity, and shared vulnerabilities. The section welcomes contributions from diverse perspectives and especially those from historically excluded groups to address these complexities of global issues and their impacts. We invite submissions that explore various themes/questions that draw on critical feminisms and take seriously intersectionality to explore the practices and theorising of international studies, including but not limited to: Transnational Feminist Solidarities & Movements: What is the role of feminist movements in global politics? How are transnational feminist alliances and coalitions responding to (?) a range of crises? In what ways do civil society groups influence policy/policymakers? What does decolonial thinking offer the analysis of women’s social movements? Feminist Foreign Policy: To what extent does the recent turn to feminist foreign policy (FFP) transform global politics? Can FFP deal with the legacies of colonialism between the global north and south? How does the global south produce knowledge on FFP? How successful has been the implementation of FFP? Russia’s War in Ukraine: What can feminist insights tell us about Russia’s war in Ukraine? What are the implications of the war in Ukraine for global networks of solidarity – from an intersectional feminist perspective? Gendered experiences of conflict and displacement: What are the gendered implications of recent coups in Africa? and their contributions to host societies? What are the implications for internally and transnationally displaced people stemming from on-going conflicts and how can feminist perspectives provide an understanding of the consequences specifically for marginalized (groups of) people? How do feminists in the global North responding to violent bordering practices? Feminist Peace Research: How do peace institutions include gender perspectives in their work? What are the feminist solutions to countering militarism and/or martial politics? Is militarisation ever justified? What gaps currently exist within Feminist Peace Research? How is knowledge produced from a global south perspective on feminist peace (research)? Global LGBTIQ+ Politics: How do LGBTIQ+ networks deal with the on-going contestations of basic human rights? Which role do national, regional and/or international organisations play for the realisation of LGBTIQ+ rights? What can we learn from intersectional feminist perspectives about the internal and external challenges for transnational and global LGBTIQ+ movements regarding the current multifaceted crises? Multiple Crises: How can the multiple on-going violent conflicts and global crises be thought together from a feminist perspective? How is knowledge produced on the layered on-going global crises from a global south perspective? Submission Guidelines: We invite original panels, innovative roundtables and papers and other creative entries that examine case studies, make theoretical contributions, offer policy analyses, or provide creative presentations as long as they engage with these themes. We look forward to fostering stimulating conversations and meaningful collaborations at ECPG 2024. Together, we hope to explore new avenues for feminist engagement in shaping a more just and inclusive world.