Gender studies is a relatively recent academic discipline aimed at the research of constructions and meanings of femininity and masculinity and the impact of sex differences on the development and production of knowledge. This objective functions as the point of departure for researchers from a variety of disciplines.
Research is not necessarily confined to the boundaries of one's own field, as theories, methods and insights are deployed from other disciplines and collaboration across field specialisms is striven for.
These guiding principles have resulted in the interdisciplinary character of the Centre for Gender Studies (formerly Women's Studies) at Ghent University in both its make-up and activities. Academic staff from different faculties are represented and involved in the Centre as is apparent from the list of members.
The future objective of the centre is to expand this cooperation to other departments and faculties. The interdisciplinary character of gender studies is also emphasised in the research projects and colloquia that are supported by (members of) the Centre. The Centre and its chair have also taken the initiative of a new interdisciplinary, peer reviewed journal DiGeSt.
After the successful establisment of a policy centre of gender and diversity at the University of Ghent (for the creation of which the chair of CGS had been instrumental) the CGS also directed its efforts towards an amelioration of the position and opportunities for women academics. To that end a thinktank of female full professors has been set up.