Women's and Gender Studies

Women's and Gender Studies emphasizes the importance of gender as a category of critical analysis in areas such as education, social relationships, culture, sexuality, literature, psychology, history, science, and politics. Students are encouraged to examine theoretical frameworks, institutions, ideologies, languages, and cultures while exploring feminist alternatives. WGST is a member of the national Women's, Gender and Social Justice Association.

In 1973, Acadia University became one of the first universities in Canada to offer a course in Women's Studies. The course, entitled Women in the Modern World, was the cornerstone of a program which over four decades has developed a multi-disciplinary and intersectional approach to teaching and research revolving around gender and sexuality issues.

Today, Acadia's WGST stands out for its 60 interdisciplinary courses, including Black Women and Politics; Gender and Race: The Changing Face of Workplace Politics; and Environmental Justice and Equity. In addition, we offer Women in Science, the only interfaculty course in Canada. And if you are intrigued by Anne of Green Gables or popular culture, then make sure to explore courses such as Children's Literature and Feminism and Popular Culture! If you study at Acadia, you will benefit from our Mentorship and Networking Opportunities, and you will have the opportunity to submit your course projects for the annual Canadian Federation of University Women Award.

For any inquiries concerning the WGST program and for academic advising, please contact Anne Quéma, Coordinator

Learn more about WGST

Breaking Barriers and Shaping Futures: The Evolution of Women in Science and Medicine

In September 2024, Dr. Randy Newman (Psychology) gave a talk titled “Breaking Barriers and Shaping Futures: The Evolution of Women in Science and Medicine” as part of the series “Grand Rounds” organized by the Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University School of Medicine.

Dr. Newman’s talk explored the ground-breaking contributions of women in science and medicine - both historical and contemporary leaders - who have challenged systemic barriers and reshaped their fields. It also examined the persistent challenges women face today and offered hopeful strategies for fostering greater equity, inclusion, and support in medical communities.

Dr. Erin Crandall SSHRC Recipient

In July 2021, Dr. Erin Crandall, former Coordinator of WGST at Acadia, was awarded a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant to help understand the factors that determine public support of Canada’s highest court. You can read a more detailed description of her project on this page.

Dr. Becky Casey Co-Recipient of the Best Book Prize for Closing the Enforcement Gap (UTP)

The Canadian Association of Work and Labour Studies awarded the 2020-21 prize to Dr. Casey and her colleagues for their publication Closing the Enforcement Gap: Improving Employment Standard Protections for People in Precarious Jobs.

Dr. Chelsea Gardner, Assistant Professor of Ancient History

Public Lecture: “Women, Websites, and Wikipedia: Accessible Digital Pedagogy and the Undergraduate Classroom” by Dr. Chelsea Gardner

Dr. Lisa Robertson Keynote Speaker at the Commemorate Canada Conference

On March 30, 2021 join Dr. Lisa Robertson at the Commemorate Canada Conference to commemorate the history of 2SLGBTQ+ in Halifax at https://fb.me/e/3KBg7FwA5

On March 4, 2021 Dr. Claudine Bonner was invited to present at the 22nd Annual J.B. Memorial Lecture at Cape Breton University

Dr. Bonner’s paper was titled “A Pier for the Pierless: Caribbean Immigration to Atlantic Canada, 1900-1930.” A member of WGST, Dr. Bonner is also the recipient of a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.