Gender Studies
Our program explores the significance of gender and sexuality on a range of discourses embedded within culture, identity and global history.

Gender Studies at Melbourne
Our research reflects on ideas about sexual difference, sexual politics and sexuality through close engagement with a broad variety of theorists, case studies and media.
A major focus of our program is considering how gender intersects with crucial issues such as ageing, class, disability, ethnicity and globalisation.
Gender Studies is a transdisciplinary program which draws on the diverse interests of our academic staff, who are leading researchers across the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The academics working in the Gender Studies program at the University of Melbourne apply thought-provoking theories on key issues such as gender equity, queer and trans politics, and gender and sexuality at the intersection of race, dis/ability, culture and class. Ultimately, the knowledge we share aims to equip our students with the ability to think critically and creatively about gender, difference, and how to address social inequality in their diverse social and professional worlds.
Dr Kalissa Alexeyeff, Head of Gender Studies

Featured research
Our research centres on many areas within gender studies, including feminist, queer, postcolonial, and affect theories, feminist ethnography, the biocapitalisation of sex, gender and sexuality and others.
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Beyond Skin-Deep: Social and Emotional Work in the Beauty Industry
This project aims to produce a nation-wide qualitative study of the role that salon workers play in the emotional lives of their clients.
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Politics of Queer Affect: Intentionality, Mediation, Intervention
This project investigates how the legacy of past violence continues to shape individual and social lives, forms of care, and the concept of what it means to be human in the aftermath of violence.
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The Borders of Gender: Law, Securitization, and Trans and Non-Binary Subjectivities
This project analyses how binary gender norms impact mobility.
Study Gender Studies
Students in Gender Studies consider ideas about femininity, masculinity and sexuality through close engagement with an extensive variety of theorists, case studies and media.
Undergraduate
Graduate coursework
- Graduate Certificate in Arts – Gender Studies
- Graduate Diploma in Arts – Gender Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) – Gender Studies
- Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) – Gender Studies
- Masters of Development Studies (specialisation in Gender and Development)
Graduate research
- Master of Arts (Thesis Only)
- Master of Arts (Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis)
- Doctor of Philosophy – Arts
Our graduates pursue careers in the fields of equal opportunities and human rights, international development, law and policing, media and advertising, politics and public service, teaching and academia, banking and the corporate world, and the creative arts.
Meet our Gender Studies staff
Our staff are experts across a diverse range of fields including gender studies, cultural studies, feminist philosophy, anthropology, Internet studies, film studies, critical femininities, and others.
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Head of Program, Senior Lecturer In Gender Studies
Phone: +61390359970
Email: k.alexeyeff@unimelb.edu.au -
Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies
Phone: +61383446629
Email: ana.dragojlovic@unimelb.edu.au -
Lecturer in Gender Studies
Phone: +61383443647
Email: jaya.keaney@unimelb.edu.au -
Teaching Specialist in Gender Studies
Phone: +61383447046
Email: joshua.pocius@unimelb.edu.au -
Lecturer in Gender Studies
Phone: +61383443525
Email: c.quinan@unimelb.edu.au
Gender Studies affiliated staff
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Senior Lecturer In Applied Linguistics
Phone: +61383443676
Email: chloe.diskinholdaway@unimelb.edu.au -
Deputy Head of School - Teaching and Learning; Associate Professor in Development Studies
Phone: +61383444610
Email: lahoang@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor in Philosophy; Honours and Graduate Diploma (Advanced) Coordinator
Phone: +61383440268
Email: jonek@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor of Anthropology
Phone: +61383446676
Email: tkohn@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor In German
Phone: +61383447667
Email: langb@unimelb.edu.au -
ARC Future Fellow
Phone: +61390354288
Email: natalya.lusty@unimelb.edu.au -
Research Fellow (Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award)
Phone: +61383440630
Email: hannah.mccann@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor In Japanese; Japanese Studies Convenor
Phone: +61390354108
Email: cmaree@unimelb.edu.au -
Head of Program, Associate Professor in Cultural Studies
Phone: +61383445486
Email: f.martin@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor In Spanish
Phone: +61390354742
Email: alfredo.m@unimelb.edu.au -
Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor
Phone: +61383445482
Email: peterjo@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor in Public Policy
Phone: +61383446820
Email: lrose@unimelb.edu.au