Beyond the Classroom

Pride March 2013.

Graduate student Elif Ege (right) at the 2013 Pride March, Istanbul

Linking theory with practice is at the root of feminist and queer studies, and academic knowledge best proves its usefulness when it can be applied to drive real-life social change. Throughout their program, our graduate students have many different opportunities to make use of their knowledge beyond the classroom. Whether by doing research projects, interning with a local or national organization, or making an impact in the Buffalo community, the initiative to go above and beyond will open doors to a multitude of worthwhile experiences.

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Research Abroad

As many of our graduate students come from abroad, and one of our key departmental research areas is global and transnational feminism and women's movements, a large number of students choose to conduct research outside North America in Asia, Africa, South America or Europe. To fund overseas research and travel, UB offers several scholarship opportunities, such as:

Currently, our students may be found in:

Elif Ege, Feminist Valentine's Day March.

Elif Ege, Feminist Valentine's Day March, Istanbul

Academic Conferences

Our students regularly present their papers and meet with scholars who share their academic interests at national and international conferences and conventions organized by renowned academic associations, including:

When possible, the department offers financial support to help students cover the expenses of the conference participation.

Publishing

Our students also gain experience and academic visibility outside UB by publishing articles in national and international peer-reviewed academic journals. Some recent examples: 

Students also write blogs and publish in local and national newspapers and magazines. Check out a recent Gender Institute blog post by student Hilary Vandenbark: "We need a culture shift, we need to listen to women: Reflections on #MeToo"

International Women's Day Panel 2017, organized under the supervision of Prof. Barbara Wejnert.

Students speak at the International Women's Day Panel 2017, organized under the supervision of Prof. Barbara Wejnert

Student Voices

While I was in the GGS master's program, I got to travel throughout the United States and abroad presenting at conferences. This was an amazing opportunity to not only advance my public speaking skills but to also see parts of the world I had never been to and meet new and interesting people. 

Teaching

GGSs students also teach undergraduate classes and work as graduate assistants across the university. Our students have previously worked as assistants for the UB Gender Institute and at the UB Intercultural and Diversity Center.

Community Activism and Collaboration

Two students look at photos exhibits at the "Black in Time" event.

Exhibits from "Black in Time," a historical dance party commemorating Buffalo's LGTBQ African-American bar and party scence, co-sponsored by the Visual Studies program and UB Gender Institute, curated by GGSs students for the Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Project and the Black Intelligent Ladies Alliance (BILA). 

Students engage in community life and activism by taking part in discussions and presentations with on-campus academic groups like the Queer Studies Academic Workshop or the Feminist Research Alliance Workshop, and community organizations like the Buffalo-Niagara LGBT Historical Society

Student Voices

"The best Sundays are spent screaming about inclusive feminism." – Graduate student Gabriella Nassif

Additionally, collaboration with local and national government institutions and non-governmental organizations helps students develop a practical perspective by connecting the academic classroom to the real world. Through an internship partnership with the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, students research issues facing women in Western New York and develop policy recommendations to present to the County. In fall 2019, students focused on a variety of issues including home health care. In spring 2020, the interns collectively focused on sick pay policies. Email us to request a copy of the policy briefs.

Student Gabriella Nassif also worked as a research consultant at The Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World – IWSAW, and Elif Ege was involved in organizing International Women's Day in Istanbul, pictured right.

Gender Matters

Listen to a Gender Institute podcast about our internship program with Erie County.

Students presenting at the Buffalo History Museum.

Students presented their policy research and recommendations at the Buffalo History Museum after the fall 2019 internship with the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women with Karen King.

Student Elif Ege helped organize International Women's Day in Istanbul, photographed for the New York Times.