New UoM Department to focus on gender issues

The newly set up Department of Gender Studies, within the Faculty of Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta, recently held a meeting with stakeholders in society who take the mainstreaming of gender issues seriously.  The associations in attendance included government bodies, agencies and NGOs working in the field.

Dr Marceline Naudi, Head of Gender Studies, said that it was the desire to make the Department's research relevant to life outside campus that had encouraged her and her academic colleagues, Dr Brenda Murphy and Dr Jos Ann Cutajar to ask the opinion of stakeholders.

Naudi explained that, as of October, the department planned to offer a Master degree by research, with plans to offer a taught Masters degree starting in October 2015.

"It is important that these students are guided to do research in subjects that really need the kind of deep understanding that a Masters degree can offer to all those concerned," Naudi said.

It was also noted that the department was ready to accept applications from researchers wishing to read for a Ph.D.

All the representatives present engaged in a lively discussion about diverse aspects of gender issues, each from his or her own standpoint, and Naudi declared that she and her colleagues were delighted both with the turnout and with the research suggestions put forward.

Some of the associations also offered placement opportunities for future graduates, which Naudi said would be of invaluable help.

She asked all present to keep the suggestions coming in and promised to keep in close touch with everyone involved in this field.