Welcome to the Centre for Women's Studies  

Founded in 1984, the Centre for Women's Studies at York (CWS) is among the most well-established bases for feminist and gender-oriented teaching and research, both in the UK and internationally.

Drawing on social science and arts-based methods, we explore and critique gendered ways of knowing. We adopt an inclusive, intersectional, transnational and interdisciplinary approach to the changing nature of women's experiences, gender relations and identities.

CWS is an interdepartmental Centre affiliated to the Departments of Sociology and English and Related Literature. Working alongside core staff in CWS and other prominent academics at the University of York from across the arts, humanities and social sciences, students explore a range of theoretical and methodological approaches pertinent to Women’s and Gender Studies.

CWS organises a range of extra-curricular activities and events, including its own regular seminar series and annual lecture. The Centre has each year around 70 postgraduate students from a variety of international and disciplinary backgrounds.

CWS Director, Dr Rachel Alsop