Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Tambe's Exciting Sabbatical Recap

From January to May 2025, I spent four months on a Fulbright-Nehru Distinguished Scholar fellowship in India. My primary affiliation was the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, where I gave talks and organized a mini-conference. My goal for this fellowship was to explore how Indian legal experts and activists think about justice and retribution in response to sexual violence, particularly in a digital era. Over my time in India, I spoke with around twenty legal researchers/scholars at NLS and other law schools, as well as practicing advocates, and followed local media. I also met with over two dozen members of leading anti-violence organizations and independent activists, and several feminist scholars in Delhi and Bengaluru. In the spirit of reciprocity, I co-convened a gathering of activists, lawyers, and legal scholars in two venues in Bengaluru (one academic, one public) to contribute to building community among those reimagining justice.

I came away with a deep appreciation for how creatively legal scholars, lawyers, and anti-violence activists support survivors of violence in meaningful ways. I learned the nuances of how the digital landscape, especially widespread mobile phone use, has changed the nature of violence and responses to it. It was exciting to listen to practitioners articulate ideas about restorative and transformative practices. I was struck by the resilience of nonprofit organizations addressing legal and resource challenges.

One of the highlights of my stay was a chance to interact with faculty and students in Indian colleges. I enjoyed a chance to discuss shared areas of interest, and found my exchanges in classroom settings vibrant. A fun lesson I hope to implement here is to eat more often together with my colleagues and students— faculty at the National Law School all have a buffet lunch in a faculty canteen at the same time together because no classes are scheduled during lunch hour, and it creates many opportunities for conviviality! Interestingly, the political conversations, scholarship, films, and streamed shows on people's minds are really similar to those here. (I had a vigorous debate at lunch with one person on whether the show Adolescence should have a second season).

An important expectation for Fulbright Nehru senior scholars is to give public talks, and over the course of my stay, I spoke at a range of venues: universities (National Law School, Manipal Law School, St. Berchmann’s College), think tanks (Center for Policy and Budget and Policy Studies, Alternative Law Forum, Dhwani Legal Trust), conferences (Fulbright national conference in Jaipur), and cultural centers (Bangalore International Centre, India International Centre- Delhi). It was exciting to tailor my ideas to a range of audiences, but I consider it an additional accomplishment that I gave these talks in tailored blouses and saris —and reasonably comfortably :). Here’s a photo and a sample talk poster.

I’m glad to be back and can’t wait to share what I’ve learned. 

--Dr. Ashwini Tambe

WGSS Fall 2025 Courses

Undergraduate Courses

WGSS 2120 Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Professor Heather Rellihan

CRN: 32834

Time: MW 11:10AM - 12:25PM

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the salience of gender, race, sexuality, and class (and other markers of identity), and how these categories shape human experience both in the United States and across the world. We examine gender as a category to think with both when it comes to everyday experiences, but also about broader, social, structural, and systemic issues. We delve into gender and queer theories and into feminist praxis and its effect on everyday life. Students learn to identify, analyze, and critically interrogate discourses of power, the spaces and places where they operate, the bodies they shape, the experiences they transform. This is a course for students to critically engage with causes they care about, and deepen their theoretical and conceptual knowledge of movements for gender and social justice.

WGSS 2125 Varieties of Feminist Theory

Professor Heather Rellihan

CRN: 36309

Course Description:

Students explore classic and contemporary texts that offer feminist perspectives on women's status in society. Students also examine dynamics within the sex/gender system as they intersect with variables like race, class, sexuality, and disability. Through the lens of feminist theory, students critically engage with several academic disciplines in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

WGSS 3170W Transnational Queer Film

Professor Robert McRuer

CRN: 38083; English 3980W CRN: 35598

1957 E 111

Course Description:

Examination of literature and culture in the context of the history and experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people, with consideration of sexual identity as a core component of human experience. May be repeated once for credit provided the topic differs. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Same As: ENGL 3980.

This is a faculty-led short-term abroad course, where students will travel to Prague, Czech Republic from November 6-16, 2025. This course is restricted; students must apply through GW Passport and will pay a program fee to be registered.

WGSS 3435 Queer Politics

Professor Akae Wright

CRN: 37494

Time: T 12:45pm - 3:15pm

Course Description:

How have queer and trans folks engaged politics and attempted to transform the society we live in? What does it mean to engage in radical queer and trans politics? Seeking to understand how white supremacist cisheteronormatvity came to be, we begin with an exploration of how U.S. gender and sexuality norms were cemented through colonization and enslavement. We then understand how individuals and communities have challenged and currently challenge these norms through a variety of literature, digital, auditory and visual media, and archival material.

Open to juniors and seniors. Interested graduate students may enroll by contacting wgss@gwu.edu.

Graduate Courses

WGSS 6241 Gender, Law, and Politics

Professor Hill

CRN 32831

T 7:10-9:00pm

Course Description

This course explores how law and public policy shape -- and are shaped by -- gender. It encompasses analytical approaches to gender and the law, including federal and state law. Topics include sex discrimination in the workplace and educational institutions, the religious freedom to discriminate, gender-based violence, and access to abortion. We use an intersectional approach with a nuanced understanding of gender and sexual identity. This course is about law, but it is not a law class. It is an overview of all aspects of law-making in the context of women and gender equality.

WGSS-Related Fall 2025 Courses

Courses Offered at the Undergraduate and Graduate Level

CAH 4156. The Body and Photography

Professor Lipniski

CRN Number

T 3:30-6:00pm

Smith 106

Course Description

This seminar examines the complex relationship between the body and photography, exploring how the medium has been used to represent, construct, and challenge notions of identity, beauty, power, and embodiment. Engaging with critical theories of the body and visual culture, students will develop a nuanced understanding of photography’s role in both reinforcing and disrupting social norms.

GFI 2033: Global Agriculture, Climate Change, and Gender

Professor Devereux

R 3:45PM - 5PM

Course Description

Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are increasingly impacting agricultural production around the world. Food insecurity is on the rise in large part due to changes in climate, which disproportionately affects smallholder farmers in the Global South. Nearly half of all farmers worldwide are women, yet in every region they are more likely to be food insecure than men, and are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

This course explores the intersection of agriculture, climate change and food security through a gendered lens. Students investigate the role of women as food producers and decision-makers, as well as gendered research methodologies, policies, and outreach efforts towards climate adaptation and resilience. This is a project-based course meaning students engage directly with real-world issues and interact with student counterparts and stakeholders both locally and globally.

The instructor has over 15 years’ experience leading research, programming and global education experiences around climate change, agriculture, food security, the environment, and gender.

*Also counts toward Sustainability Minor Pillar III

PSYC 3199-11. Current Topics in Psychology: Gender and Sexuality

Professor Calabrese

CRN: 33458

Meeting time:  Tuesdays 12:45pm-3:15pm

Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

Course Description:

In this discussion-driven course, students will critically examine gender and sexuality through the lens of psychological science. We will draw on theoretical and empirical literature, including both foundational work and emerging scholarship, to explore topics such as gender and sexual identity development, expression, and intersectionality; relationships, health, and pleasure; power, stereotypes, and discrimination; and social norms, policies, and institutions. Students will be encouraged to think deeply, consider diverse perspectives, question assumptions, and engage in thoughtful discourse. Students will leave with a fuller appreciation of the complexity of gender and sexuality as part of the human experience.

The course is well suited for undergraduate students who are interested in psychology or other social sciences, health sciences, gender and sexuality studies, and/or related disciplines. 

Prerequisite: PSYC 1001 [can be waived with permission of professor]

ENGL 6100 Introduction to Literary Theory

Professor McRuer

CRN: 33458

Meeting time: Wednesday 5:10-07:00PM

Course Description

English 6100 will introduce and briefly overview some of the major movements in critical theory—such as poststructuralism, postmodernism, Marxism, psychoanalysis, feminism, African American and Latina/o cultural theory, postcolonial theory, queer theory, and disability studies—that have brought us to the contemporary moment in the study of culture and society. As this list should suggest, a large part of the course will consider the “cultural turn” that literary study has taken over the past few decades. 

Some of the questions the class will pose are: what do we mean when we talk about such vexed terms as culture, identity, language, interpretation, meaning, theory, criticism, cultural studies? What does critical theory offer us as readers and writers, as participants in various cultures, as citizens? What does knowledge in and as democracy look like? How have the new social movements transformed knowledge in and out of the academy? How does power circulate through the production, consumption, and interpretation of culture?

GW Student Employment Opportunities

GW Women's Leadership Program

Description:

The GW Women’s Leadership Program utilizes social media like Instagram and LinkedIn to regularly engage with students and alumni. We are looking for someone to help enhance our online presence and refine our program identity through marketing and communication practices. You will be expected to maintain a consistent posting schedule on our established platforms as well as develop new media for WLP-related events and projects. 

The student will: 

• Create original content for posting on Instagram
• Maintain a posting calendar to plan content creation, approval, and posting
• Create connections with WLP members and affiliates members and potential partner organizations on Instagram
• Provide basic support with print, web, social media, and/or other digital content. 
• Meet regularly via Zoom with the WLP team
• Engage professionally and respectfully with the WLP community

Required Qualifications:  

This is an entry level position, little to no experience required, all training will be provided.

Must be a current or former member of the Women’s Leadership Program.

Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail.

Apply here.

Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service

Description:

The mission of the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service is to integrate civic engagement into George Washington University’s educational work. We promote equity and active citizenship in a diverse democracy, focus GW’s resources to address community needs through reciprocal partnerships beyond the campus, and enhance teaching, learning, and scholarship at GW.

Position Description:

The student will serve as an administrative assistant and perform tasks to support the operations of the the office or department. Tasks may include: assembling materials, filing, photocopying, giving directions or information, responding to phone or email inquiries, scanning and/indexing documents, light data entry, and other general office tasks. Special projects or duties may be assigned related to specific office needs.

This position is for the 2025 – 2026 academic year and will begin in August.

Apply here.

Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington

Description:

The Breastfeeding Center is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families from pregnancy through the transitions of early parenthood with relationship-based care, evidence-based instruction and resources, and integrative health services for lactation and postpartum. We offer clinical services, community programs, classes, retail offerings and more to support maternal and infant health. Our main services include Lactation Consultations with International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), Breast Pump & Infant Scale Rentals, Feeding Supplies, and our Donor Milk Program. Students will have the opportunity to support these programs and more. We are located within walking distance from GW in Downtown DC – 1020 19th St NW Ste 150 Washington, DC 20036.

Position Description:

This position offers hands-on experience in nonprofit administration, healthcare programs, and customer service—ideal for students interested in maternal/infant health, nonprofit work, or clinical settings. Your responsibilities may include: assisting with front desk tasks and general shop upkeep; providing friendly and professional customer service; supporting staff with administrative tasks; assisting with insurance billing (training provided); supporting our Donor Breast Milk Program and Rental Program (training provided); and more.

Students must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Students in this role will gain skills in office administration, program coordination, professional communication, and nonprofit operations. You’ll have the opportunity to explore your interests while supporting an organization that makes a real impact in the community. Students are welcome to work with us for more than one semester.

Apply here.

Internship Opportunities

Becky Lee Women's Support Fund

Becky's Fund seeks to help end and prevent domestic and dating violence in our communities and assist victims by: Raising awareness about the facts of domestic violence, including how prevalent it is in our communities, why battered women can't always leave easily, and what can be done to fight it. Encouraging advocacy by organizing and mobilizing people, particularly students, to address domestic violence issues. Assisting victims by linking them to appropriate services such as legal representation, counseling, and safety. Raising funds to provide financial assistance to support victims of domestic violence.

Communications and Social Media Fall Internship:

Position Description:

The intern will work directly with the Executive Director to assist planning and coordinating Becky's Fund's brand development and management efforts, and assist in development of copy, content, marketing assets and materials for our programs and events. Duties will include: project planning, letter writing, working with vendors, drafting press releases, contacting media, copy and message development, community relations outreach, donor development, and fundraising support.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate support and maintain communication for fundraising efforts
• Organize marketing and development materials
• Develop ideas for media stories and placement of stories.
• Write and distribute media communications, including media releases, calendar listings, media fact sheets, and press kits as needed.
• Maintain records and files related specifically to the media.
• Assist with community relations events including planning, media and spokesperson training.
• Assist with monthly e-newsletter production and social media copy and content including copy writing and research.

Apply here by August 15th.

Fall Programs Internship:

Position Description:

Becky’s Fund is looking for a outgoing and passionate Intern who will assist in the delivery of violence prevention programming and advocacy initiatives for different audiences including students, male and female, and direct services for those affected by domestic/dating violence.

Programs:

• Becoming Your Own Hero - working with young women and girls
• Men of CODE - working with high school male athletes to encourage allyship in ending rape culture, misogyny and violence against women and girls
• College Tour - working with students to end and prevent gender-based violence
• ENDOVI - using the Chatline in the mobile phone app to help provide resources and mental health support in real time
• Direct Services for Survivors: empowering and advocating for survivors and their families in helping them leave abuse permanently

Responsibilities include:

• Drafting and updating educational materials and assisting with original research.
• Responding to calls and emails from people seeking help, information, and referrals.
• Working on youth peer leadership initiatives such as our Becoming Your Own Hero workshops, Men of Code Program, and Domestic Violence College tour.
• Creating curricula and teaching the programs for the Youth initiatives
• Creating a listing of nation-wide referrals for those affected by domestic and dating violence to be incorporated as a resource within our ENDOVI phone application
• Assisting with outreach and other administrative support for educational and programmatic goals.

To apply: please send cover letter, resume, and short writing sample (1-3 pages) to becky@beckysfund.org by August 15th.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a global network of policy research centers, is seeking an energetic individual with excellent interpersonal skills to intern with its Washington, D.C.-based Communications team. The intern is expected to work 18 hours per week. This is an in-person role based in Carnegie's office in Washington, DC.

Communications Intern Description:

The intern will help support the Communications department, primarily the outreach team which handles media relations, events, social media, web posting, and email marketing for Carnegie. Experience with event support, drafting social media copy, and compiling media clips is preferred, but not required.

The ideal candidate should be organized, with strong attention to detail; possess excellent computer skills and an interest in learning the facets of digital communications and be able to work independently and complete projects quickly without sacrificing quality and accuracy. The approximate duration of the internship will be September to December 2025. 

The intern will be paid either $20 per hour or $26 per hour depending on level of education and experience (undergraduate or graduate). Please submit your resume and cover letter via the Carnegie Endowment website. 

Deadline: July 28, 2025.

Artist Opportunities

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center

Calling all DC LGBTQIA+ artists!

Whether you create in 2D, 3D, digital, or traditional mediums, your art has a home here. We're curating The Community Collection 2.0, the very first art installation at our new community center — a celebration of LGBTQ+ creativity, expression, and resilience.

No submission fee!

Deadline: August 4th, 2025

Scan the QR Code or click the link to submit!

National Women's Studies Association Announcement

 An Honour Song: Feminist Struggles, Feminist Victories

November 13-16, 2025

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The 45th Annual Conference theme, An Honour Song: Feminist Struggles, Feminist Victories, calls for proposals that are attentive to the many facets of our multidirectional and multivocal field with special attention to submissions that, as President Lewis writes in our 2025 Call for Proposals, “uplift and nourish our comrades in Borikén who seek justice for survivors of domestic violence, homophobia, sexual assault, racism, political repression, environmental injustice, poverty, food and housing insecurity, and others who are vulnerable to subjugation and oppression—year round and often without recognition, support, or encouragement.”

The NWSA remains staunch in their dedication to uplifting the immense transformative work that you, NWSA members and community partners, offer through your pedagogy, scholarship, activism, community building, as well as the myriad ways you strive to “make everything into something that is questionable” - because “the question of how to live a feminist life is alive as a question as well as being a life question.

Helpful Links:

• Accessibility Resources
• Presenter Requirements
• Annual Conference FAQs

Support for GW LGBTQ+ Students

UniQue Voices: Mental Health for the GW LGBTQ+ Community

This supportive therapy group is tailored specifically for LGBTQIA+ students, providing a safe and inclusive space to share experiences, explore identities, and enhance mental well-being.

Sexual Assault Survivors Group

A support and healing space for femme/female-identifying individuals who have experienced sexual assault. This group offers a collaborative space to learn about trauma, process complex emotions, and integrate the experience into a healthier self.

Healthy Relationships Group

A processing space to help students gain insight and tools to improve all types of relationships. 

Feminist Quad Talk

Feminist Campus: Quad Talk is a platform to share bold opinions, fresh takes, and thoughtful reflections on the world we’re navigating. Whether you’re tackling the latest social issue or cracking a joke about the chaos, this is where your voice matters. Submit a piece (500 words or less) to be part of the weekly collection on the Feminist Campus Website of young people’s perspectives on the political and social issues shaping our lives today. Let’s talk about it—your way.

Gender Policy Research Program Newsletter

Sign up for the monthly newsletter! The GPRP newsletter, sent out on the last Friday of the month, will include updates from GPRP, community spotlights, featured events and resources, and funding, publication, and job opportunities.

Sign up today!

Save Foreign Assistance from Cuts

CARE is a humanitarian organization that fights global poverty empowers women and girls around the world. This organization is asking individuals to call elected officials and share support for foreign assistance, knowing just how much these critical investments save lives and promote U.S. and global stability, peace, and prosperity. 

Individuals can make a phone call and connect to members of Congress. This organization has included four main points below to make this as quick and easy as possible: 

• I am a constituent, and I strongly support U.S investments in foreign assistance. 
• U.S. foreign assistance saves lives and promotes U.S. and global stability, peace, and prosperity. 
• The consequences of cutting foreign assistance will be devastating – and in some cases deadly – for millions of people worldwide while also jeopardizing American progress. 
• Supporting foreign assistance does not come at the expense of domestic priorities. U.S. leadership can do both, it’s not an either or. 

If interested, call using this form.

Research Study

The Developmental Social Neuroscience Lab is recruiting adults aged 18-40 to participate in a paid research study! This study includes one online portion (1 hour) and one in-person visit to their lab at George Washington University (3 hours). You can make up to $80 ($20/hr) for completing online surveys and in-person computer games at GW. Please go to their website or email them for more information.

Resources

Online Therapy Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community

Online therapy is a resource that offers a plethora of different types of virtual therapy for the LGBTQ+ community. Online therapy makes it easier to access mental health care and to engage in therapy on your own terms. Find more resources that can be helpful for navigating the coming-out process, strengthening your relationships, and learning how to be true to yourself as an LGBTQ+ individual.

The Midsummer Edition

Photo caption: a photo taken inside the National Museum of Women in the Arts depicting guests looking at artworks.

Are you all enjoying your summer? If you're still looking for fun things to do around D.C., consider checking out the following:

• The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA)is home to over 5,500 works from over 1,000 female artists. The NMWA offers free admission on the first Sunday and second Wednesday of every month, and free admission to those under 21.
• The Sanctuary :: መቅደስ :: Mekdes exhibit by artist Tsedaye Makonnen at the National Museum of African Art. Makonnen is a D.C.-based Ethiopian American artist. "In the seven sculptures featured in this exhibition, she explores the dehumanization of Black women, femme people and their communities, finding connections in form and themes related to the power of motherhood and sisterly solidarity."
• The LGBTJews in the Federal City exhibit at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum. This exhibit explores and celebrates D.C., Jewish, and LGBTQ history and activism. The Museum has upcoming free community days August 13th and September 7th.
• These three Smithsonian American Art Museum exhibits: Shahzia Sikander: The Last Post, Cecilia Vicuña: Quipu Viscera, Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo (leaving soon!).

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