History of ZEUGS

Prior to the establishment of CIGS, the Center for European Gender Studies (Zentrum für Europäische Geschlechterstudien, ZEUGS) operated between 2011 and 2024.

ZEUGS was founded in December 2011 at the University of Münster’s Faculty 6 – Educational and Social Sciences and functioned as a network of scholars from political science, education, and sociology. It provided a platform for interdisciplinary gender research, with a particular focus on European contexts. Its objectives were to strengthen interdisciplinary dialogue, expand research and teaching in gender studies, enhance student training on gender topics, and facilitate the development and networking of interdisciplinary research projects both within and beyond the university.

Until her emeritation in 2024, ZEUGS was led by Prof. Dr. Gabriele Wilde, Professor of Political Science with a focus on the Theory and Politics of Gender Relations at the Institute for Political Science, University of Münster. Other founding members included Prof. Dr. Annette Zimmer (Institute for Political Science), Prof. Dr. Karin Böllert (Institute of Education), and Dr. Katrin Späte (Institute of Sociology). ZEUGS was further supported by the management team of Henrike Bloemen, M.A., and Dr. Mareike Gebhardt. ZEUGS comprised of 24 members, mostly based at the University of Münster’s Faculty 6 – Educational and Social Sciences, along with affiliates from other faculties and institutions, as well as student assistants who contributed to project implementation and organizational activities.

ZEUGS pursued three research areas under the approach of “Civic Constitutionalism: Constitution and Foundations of Democratic Gender Relations in Europe.” It engaged with critical-feminist political theory, systematically examining gender and gender relations as both discursive and practical resources for the constitution of social and political orders. Its three main research focuses investigated how gender relations were shaped, transformed, and negotiated in different societal contexts: (i) in the public and private spheres, with particular attention to gender-specific exclusions, (ii) under authoritarian and hybrid regimes, including the effects of populist discourses on democratic gender orders, and (iii) in labor and care relations under conditions of globalization, Europeanization, and neoliberal transformation.

Within these areas, ZEUGS carried out interdisciplinary research projects, organized academic events such as interdisciplinary lecture series, workshops, talks, panels, and conferences, published a wide range of outputs – including a ZEUGS newsletter – and offered a broad spectrum of teaching activities.

ZEUGS concluded its activities in February 2024 with a farewell conference marking the emeritation of Prof. Dr. Gabriele Wilde, titled “The Power of Civil Society: Democracy and Gender in Transition.” The conference combined lectures, panels, and a roundtable, bringing together speakers from various universities to discuss feminist struggles.