IDEAS Podcast

The meaning of freedom, as the final significant element, the final piece in constructing this mosaic of the political, is offered through a set of reminders as to the meaning that is personal, but the focus is on its political implications. For example, the issues addressed are the limitations of „negative“ freedom and the potential of positive freedom, freedom of the will, freedom from necessity, self-determination, and self-actualization. The author of the text is Jelisaveta Blagojević. The text is read by Daša Duhaček References: Jelisaveta Blagojević, Politics of the Unthinkable/ Politike nemislivog, Beograd: Centar za medije i komunikacije, FMK, Unverzitet Singidunum, 2014.

In order to restore the meaning of political activism and the importance of political engagement, this episode differentiates between politics and political. As opposed to politics, which is restricted to the institutionalized sphere and, albeit insisting on the necessity of both, the episode introduces the concept of the political, it is predicated on contingency, conflict, negotiations and uncertainty, in short – the space of freedom. The author of the text is Jelisaveta Blagojević. The text is read by Daša Duhaček References: Hannah Arendt, The Promise of Politics, New York: Schocken Books, 2005.

This episode also covers a full range of relevant issues, but from the outset suggests that any representation of love, its manifestation is public, or more specifically, it is political. It is connected to power (of love), but, importantly, „the true revovlutionary power of love should not reaffirm any fixed identity, but should be open to change, to constant becoming...thus giving it political potential for growth“ The author of the text is Jelisaveta Blagojević. The text is read by Daša Duhaček References: Jelisaveta Blagojević, The Community of those without a Community/Zajednica onih koji nemaju zajednicu, Beograd: fmk, 2008.

This episode raises many different issues, ranging from questioning what would one think of one’s own friendship(s) to the political aspect of building a friendship, such as connections of brotherhoods, fraternities, and the like. This leads to the question, is friendship gendered? Is it male - dominated? What about sisterhoods? What about friendships between women? The author of the text is Jelisaveta Blagojević. The text is read by Daša Duhaček References: Jacques Derrida, Politics of Friendship, London, New York: Verso, 1997.

The episode is constructed as an interview, and, unfolds the significant issue of political responsibility. In the interview, led by Jelisaveta Blagojević, Daša Duhaček responds by drawing on the political theory of Hannah Arendt. References: Hannah Arendt, „Personal Responsibility Under Dictatorship“ in Responsibility and Judgment, Jerome Kohn ed., New York: Schocken Books, 2003. Hannah Arendt, „Collective Responsibility“ in Responsibility and Judgment, Jerome Kohn ed., New York: Schocken Books, 2003.

Interview with Joni Seager, Professor of Global Studies at Bentley University in Boston based on her book Earth Follies: Coming To Feminist Terms With The Global Environmental Crisis, as well as her other research areas, such as masculinity and climate crisis.

Interview with Stella Tereka, a researcher on gender dimension of climate change, or more specifically, effective strategies on gender transformative climate proofing, also exemplified by looking at agriculture and natural resources sectors in Uganda.

Interview with Hildur Knútsdóttir, Icelandic author, feminist and climate change activist. The episode is on the gendering of climate change politics and the tensions and limitations of direct action versus the compromising world of government reform. Reference Joanna Wilson & Eric Chu (2020) The embodied politics of climate change: analyzing the gendered division of environmental labor in the UK, Environmental Politics, 29:6, https://rsa.tandfonline.com/loi/fenp20

Interview with Hafdís Hanna Ægisdóttir (Hafdís Hanna Aegisdottir), who was the Director of the UN University Land Restoration Training Programme, and, is now a research manager at the Institute for Sustainability Studies at the University of Iceland.

Interview with Dr. Auður H. Ingólfsdóttir (Audur Ingolfsdottir), researcher and university lecturer in International politics as social responsibility and sustainability, who explains, from a gender perspective, what is understood when we speak of climate change, as well as how serious are the consequences of climate change.

This episode would have us engage with „humanity’s biggest driving force – hope” albeit from a feminist perspective and it is, therefore, focusing on the right and the imagination of women who look toward a better future. The topic is addressed first from a historical view and takes into account important utopian thinkers such as Thomas More, Fourier, and Saint-Simon, but then shifts to women’s contributions bringing hope, and presents a “brilliant feminist writer” such as Ursula le Guin, draws on poetry so as to address the critics of utopian thought and re-establish its value, especially with a view to women and courageous utopian outlook. The episode is read by the author, Ana Maskalan. References Despot Blaženka. 1987. Žensko pitanje i socijalističko samoupravljanje. Zagreb: Cekade. Eddo-Lodge, Reni. 2019. Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. Le Guin, Ursula K. 1997. Dancing at the Edge of the World: Thoughts on Words, Women, Places. Newburyport: Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated.

Relying on carefully selected data as well as relevant feminist theorists, such as Mariarosa Dalla Costa and Silvia Federici, this episode highlights the core of the feminist argument on the significance of social reproduction, as it explains how the „production of goods and services and the production of life are part of one integrated process.“ The arguments are further unfolded and strengthened by concrete analysis of capitalist mechanisms as well as strategies as to how to confront them. The author of the episode is Katarina Leaković. The text is read by Daša Duhaček. References Arruzza, Cinzia etal. 2019.Feminism for the 99%: A Manifesto. London. VersoBooks. Mosseri, S. et al. 2020. The future of work and gender: Insightp aper. WGEA Commissioned Research Paper. Sydney: University of Sydney. FoW_insight_paper.pdf (wgea.gov.au) (10 Oct 2022). Wånggren, Lena. 2018. Feminist Trade-Unionism and Post-Work Imaginaries, Journal of Applied SocialTheory1(2): 102-124.

Analyzing some well-chosen works of art in its diverse presentations, from conceptual to performative art - among others - this episode offers an excellent, eye-opening gender reading and astute feminist interpretations of representative women’s art,  centered on women’s perennial experiences of caregiving, everpresent universal maintenance, housework, motherhood – all within the “ aggressive pressure of incessant capitalist development, extraction, competition, innovation, and expansion…” The episode is read by the author, Ivana Bago. References and Discussed Artworks: Mierle Lederman Ukeles, “Manifesto for Maintenance Art” (Proposal for an Exhibition: “CARE”), 1969 https://pompeiicommitment.org/commitment/mierle-lederman-ukeles-the-maintenance-art-manifesto/#01 Sanja Iveković, Diary, 1976, https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/ressources/oeuvre/czA6aj7 Jackson, Shannon. Social Works: Performing Art, Supporting Publics. Routledge, 2011.

The final episode of this module takes on a global perspective, using as a point of departure de-colonial theorists Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Maria Lugones, and others. The key malady, the main disorder, on a global scale, is extreme inequality, its diagnosis is capitalism in its current neoliberal format. International „...institutions ... that should act to reduce inequality, do not have real power to act properly“, moreover, „they are themselves part of the problem, and not the solution.“ However, the episode offers gender analyses through concrete examples and, while looking at the future, points toward a women’s resolve not to give up. The episode is read by the author, Biljana Kašić. References Barbara Ehrenreich, Barbara & Arlie Russell Hochschild, R. Arlie. (eds.).2002. Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, Sex Workers in the New Economy. New York: Metropolitan Books. Ferguson, Susan. 2020. Women and work: feminism, labor, and social reproduction. London: Pluto Press. Website & Online Resources: Bhattacharya, Tithi. 2017. What is Social Reproduction Theory?. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uur-pMk7XjY (short video, November 22, 2017)

This opening episode of the module on feminist political economy and social reproduction is based on qualitative ethnographic research of an illustrative example, namely the Croatian economic system in the transition time of the early 1990s. How, if at all, and at whose expense, one is expected to balance everyday life „ while coping with changes in the diminished and restructured formal labor market, and the crises...“? „In what way have long-term formal unemployed women, dominant caregivers, and their activities in the informal sector, affected their lives, and lives of other family members, many of them also unemployed in the 1990s“? The episode is read by the author, Tihana Rubić. References Burcar, Lilijana. 2020. Restauracija kapitalizma: repatrijarhalizacija društva. Zagreb: Centar za ženske studije - Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku. Hann, Chris, Keith Hart. 2011. Economic anthropology. History, Ethnography, Critique.Cambridge: Polity Press. Kürti, László, Peter Skalnik, eds. 2009. Postsocialist Europe. Anthropological Perspectives from Home. New York – Oxford: Berghahn Books.

All the questions addressed in this episode constitute the most important issues of sex education which is indispensable in our contemporary society, especially where young people are concerned: What is sex? Is there only one kind of sex? Are sexual practices gendered?  How is sexual health related to all of these? How many forms of relationships are out there? How can I choose? How can I practice safe sex but keep the pleasure? Is a condom the only way to protect me and others? How are all these related to the queer community, etc., etc. Authors of the dialogues in all episodes are members of the Colour Youth group, from Athens, here led by Christiana Gennata. The text was read by Daša Duhaček and Aleksandra Janićijević.

This episode traces how a professor of Law, Kimberle Cranshaw introduced the term intersectionality, first to strengthen the arguments in feminist theory and, following that, how it was deployed in legal processes and expanded into other antidiscriminatory practices. The episode also addresses other relevant issues, such as identity and discrimination against homophobia, racism, xenophobia, and ablism – all in the dynamic dialogue which uses the Greek context, but as this episode unfolds, the issues addressed refer far beyond the borders of Greece. Authors of the dialogues in all episodes are members of the Colour Youth group, from Athens, here led by Christiana Gennata. The text was read by Daša Duhaček and Aleksandra Janićijević.

The team from Colour Youth has offered beyond any obligations to present the IDEAS program with a special podcast that addresses the problems arising from the Covid 19 Pandemic. This episode offers insights into peoples' lives during Covid 19 Pandemic and sheds light on many different faces/facets at the intersection of Covid and LGBTQ experiences. How is a queer identity being connected with the Greek system during Covid 19 restrictions? Are there disparities for trans and nonbinary people during quarantines? Authors of the dialogues in all episodes are members of the Colour Youth group, from Athens, here led by Christiana Gennata. The text was read by Daša Duhaček and Aleksandra Janićijević.

This episode tells a story also by using the format of the dialogue. The story is based on personal experiences of discrimination against a transgender person, whose narrative we follow. And, again, although personal, and in the Greek context, this story is deeply relevant politically. Authors of the dialogues in all episodes are members of the Colour Youth group, from Athens, here led by Christiana Gennata. The text was read by Daša Duhaček and Aleksandra Janićijević.

This episode is an introduction to LGBTQI+ rights. It is focused on the terminology and on clarifying the meanings of the keywords within the topic. It also covers the issues, such as gender, sex, heteronormativity, and transgender, and, of course, explains the words behind the abbreviation LGBTQI+. Authors of the dialogues in all episodes are members of the Colour Youth group, from Athens, here led by Christiana Gennata. The text was read by Daša Duhaček and Aleksandra Janićijević.

This episode first clarifies relevant terminology (such as disability) and then proceeds to explain the experiences of disabled LGBTQI+ femininities: including very important issues, otherwise not often recognized. The episode is also based on the form of a dialogue and is based on personal experiences. However, the Greek context raises the matter much further. Authors of the dialogues in all episodes are members of the Colour Youth group, from Athens, here led by Christiana Gennata. The text was read by Daša Duhaček and Aleksandra Janićijević.

Interview with Ms. Lidija Mračević, who emigrated from Sarajevo and through Belgrade came to Prague. This module is devoted to giving a voice to women who belong to vulnerable groups. All the episodes within this module are interviews with women from groups who are under multiple discrimination, first as women, and then also as members of groups who are discriminated against. All the interviews are conceptualized and led by Selma Muhič- Dizdarević and are a result of her long-term engagement and in-depth academic research of migrant, Roma, and homeless women in the Czech society. However, what is addressed here are the issues of discriminatory practices which are very much present in many other societies. Importantly, the interviews, following the life trajectories of these women, are also focused on how to resist and overcome discrimination. All the interviews were conducted in Czech, transcribed, and translated in order to be recorded in English. Interviews in English were read by Daša Duhaček and Jovana Tougeron Tripunović.

Interview with Ms Emilia Horáčková, a prominent Czech Roma activist and entrepreneur. This module is devoted to giving a voice to women who belong to vulnerable groups. All the episodes within this module are interviews with women from groups who are under multiple discrimination, first as women, and then also as members of groups who are discriminated against. All the interviews are conceptualized and led by Selma Muhič- Dizdarević and are a result of her long-term engagement and in-depth academic research of migrant, Roma, and homeless women in the Czech society. However, what is addressed here are the issues of discriminatory practices which are very much present in many other societies. Importantly, the interviews, following the life trajectories of these women, are also focused on how to resist and overcome discrimination. All the interviews were conducted in Czech, transcribed, and translated in order to be recorded in English. Interviews in English were read by Daša Duhaček and Jovana Tougeron Tripunović.

Interview with Ms. Lucie Vítková , a community activist and organizer in the Czech NGO Homelike This module is devoted to giving a voice to women who belong to vulnerable groups. All the episodes within this module are interviews with women from groups who are under multiple discrimination, first as women, and then also as members of groups who are discriminated against. All the interviews are conceptualized and led by Selma Muhič- Dizdarević and are a result of her long-term engagement and in-depth academic research of migrant, Roma, and homeless women in the Czech society. However, what is addressed here are the issues of discriminatory practices which are very much present in many other societies. Importantly, the interviews, following the life trajectories of these women, are also focused on how to resist and overcome discrimination. All the interviews were conducted in Czech, transcribed, and translated in order to be recorded in English. Interviews in English were read by Daša Duhaček and Jovana Tougeron Tripunović.

Interview with Ms. Katarina (Katka) Gamal Richterová, an activist from the government program, Hate Free Culture (HFC). This module is devoted to giving a voice to women who belong to vulnerable groups. All the episodes within this module are interviews with women from groups who are under multiple discrimination, first as women, and then also as members of groups who are discriminated against. All the interviews are conceptualized and led by Selma Muhič- Dizdarević and are a result of her long-term engagement and in-depth academic research of migrant, Roma, and homeless women in the Czech society. However, what is addressed here are the issues of discriminatory practices which are very much present in many other societies. Importantly, the interviews, following the life trajectories of these women, are also focused on how to resist and overcome discrimination. All the interviews were conducted in Czech, transcribed, and translated in order to be recorded in English. Interviews in English were read by Daša Duhaček and Jovana Tougeron Tripunović.

Interview with Ms. Ina Avramioti who works in integration services and NGOs, La Strada, Caritas. This module is devoted to giving a voice to women who belong to vulnerable groups. All the episodes within this module are interviews with women from groups who are under multiple discrimination, first as women, and then also as members of groups who are discriminated against. All the interviews are conceptualized and led by Selma Muhič- Dizdarević and are a result of her long-term engagement and in-depth academic research of migrant, Roma, and homeless women in the Czech society. However, what is addressed here are the issues of discriminatory practices which are very much present in many other societies. Importantly, the interviews, following the life trajectories of these women, are also focused on how to resist and overcome discrimination. All the interviews were conducted in Czech, transcribed, and translated in order to be recorded in English. Interviews in English were read by Daša Duhaček and Jovana Tougeron Tripunović.

This brief episode is a link between two modules, the first and the second. It is, at the same time, a continuation of the episode on Feminism and, an introduction to the episodes of the second module. Although it is acknowledged that any classification is arbitrary, it also argues that classifications may offer advantages in grounding (the legitimacy of) any discipline, and, this was - and still is - important for women’s studies. The classification of feminist theories presented here is the first one, conceptualized and developed by Alison Jaggar in the 1970s and 1980s. Although it has since been critically assessed, and expanded, its significance lies in that it produced the history of feminist theories and connected it to the theoretical standpoints and political options of her own time. What follows is an unfolding of each of the theoretical standpoints of Alison Jaggar’s classification as well as its connection to the political options. This episode was written and read by Daša Duhaček References for further reading: Alison Jaggar, Feminist Politics and Human Nature, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., Lanham, 1983. Rosemarie Putnam Tong,  Feminist Thought Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, 1988.

This episode uses as a point of departure the famous 19th-century text by Friedrich Engels, The Condition of the Working Class in England which, among other issues, paints the grueling/arduous lives of working women. The episode, however, is focused on contemporary working conditions for women in factories and also in the fields, where women are a key part of the industrial and agricultural workforce. The episode unfolds another key issue - the problem of emotional labor in the service industry, where women carry a major workload. Finally, the episode addresses the perennial problem of housework, indispensable for understanding the mechanisms of the capitalist economy. These issues are connected and developed in detail which illustrates solely profit-driven capitalism, feminization of low-paid and precarious work, the alienation which is the outcome of emotional labor, the systemic social hypocrisy of presenting housework as the labor of love, preventions of union organizing – all of the above depicted by giving women a voice. This text was written by Lara Končar and read by Daša Duhaček and Nađa Duhaček References/links for further reading: Peter Hudis and Kevin B. Anderson, eds, The Rosa Luxemburg Reader, Monthly Review Press, New York, 2004. Friedrich Engels, Condition of the Working Class in England, [1844] 2010. Arlie Russell Hochschild. 1983. The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling, University of California Press, Berkley, 1983.

This episode presents the political option and theoretical background of radical feminism in the historical context of its appearance and specifies this context within the late 1960s in American universities. This was also the period of the second wave of the feminist movement. Radical feminism states that the roots of women’s inequality lie in patriarchal structures, embedded in society. This feminist standpoint voiced demands to have a right to decide about one’s body, to determine one’s own reproductive choices (including the right to abortion), and also the right to one’s own choices of sexuality and gender identity and put heteronormativity on the feminist agenda while promoting the rights of lesbian women. Importantly, radical feminism was engaged in a struggle for the right to a life with no violence. Radical feminists drew attention to violations of these rights, especially sexual harassment, and rape. Most of these issues were relegated to the private sphere, and radical feminists coined a phrase, which became a symbol of their engagement: Personal is Political. Radical feminism also addressed the importance of symbolic representation, especially gender-sensitive language, and encouraged women to artistically express themselves through literature, art, and music. This text was written by Hristina Cvetinčanin Knežević and read by Daša Duhaček References for further reading: Brownmiller, Susan. Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape, Fawcett Columbine, New York, 1975. Millett, Kate. Sexual politics.University of Illinois Press, Urbana and Chicago, 1969. Rich, Adrienne. "Compulsory heterosexuality and lesbian existence." Signs: Journal of women in culture and society 5, no. 4 (1980): 631-660.

Going beyond a mere existence of a theoretical and political standpoint called Marxist feminism, this episode approaches the topic by addressing a complex relationship between Marxism and leftist feminism, which has developed for two centuries. This story is here told by our fictional guide, Ana, who leads us through the past events marking different segments of this history, the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th and then, a leap to the Second World War in Yugoslavia; finally bringing us to rebellious times of the 1970s and the 1980s. The first moment in history takes us from the speech of Clara Zetkin to the days of the October revolution, and in the second historical period, we are joining the Women’s Antifascist Movement and Yugoslav partisans as well as the aftermath when women’s emancipation in Yugoslavia took giant steps. From the students’ and feminist movements, we are taken to our time and introduced to the text Feminism for 99%. A Manifesto, a succinct concise exciting text But, in keeping with the best-sounding utopia of leftist manifestos, the story also takes us into the future, where Ana in the year 2121 is reading about the past struggles of women. The text was written by Nadja Bobičić and read by Daša Duhaček and Nadja Duhaček References/links for further reading: Cinzia Arruzza, Tithi Bhattacharya, Nancy Fraser, Feminism for the 99%  A Manifesto, 2019. Archive of the Antifascist Womens’ Front. Chiara Bonfiglioli and Sara Žerić, Working Class Women’s Activism in Socialist Yugoslavia, in „Comparative Southeast European Studies“, 2022.

In looking at the history of feminist theories, the first argumentation in favor of women’s rights, according to available sources, is now designated as liberal feminist theory. This episode reiterates the main contributions of the key figures, presenting them placing them historically, from the 18th century (Mary Wollstonecraft, Olympe de Gouges) through the 19th century (Harriet Taylor Mill, John Stuart Mill) and, finally Betty Friedan, as the main representative of liberal feminism the 20th century. All demands of liberal feminism are focused on political rights and are based on a claim that women are equal to men. In its beginnings, the voices of liberal feminists articulated a strong request for women’s right to vote. This political demand was also stated to have equal participation in the public sphere, in the decision-making processes. In order to be thus included, liberal feminism from inception requested that women have access to education. Importantly, this episode highlights Nancy Fraser’s warning that when second-wave feminism privileged identity claims over issues of economic justice it uncritically allowed for feminist convergence with neoliberal capitalism. Moreover, looking into this threat, politically engaged feminist theorists and activists especially underscore the dangers for women that the advance of feminist neoliberalism is bringing. This episode was written and read by Daša Duhaček References for further reading: Olympe de Gouges, Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, 1791. Zillah Eisenstein, The Radical Future of Liberal Feminism, Northeastern University Press, Boston, 1986. Catherine Rottenberg, The Rise of Neoliberal Feminism, Cultural Studies, 28:13

Here the term and the concept of feminism are explicitly addressed, first by sharply distancing us from the stereotypical images of a feminist, which is always derogatory. Following this, the episode states what in fact feminism is, and what is the meaning of the word - it stands for full awareness and recognition that women are discriminated against and that this position of discrimination can and will change, with an understanding that these changes will extend to all women, regardless of their sexual orientation, social status, ethnic or national belonging, skin color, so-called race, etc. Feminism appears in modernity when hierarchical systems were generally challenged – at least theoretically. That is the contents, the conceptual substance of feminism. But the episode also reminds us that feminism appears in different formats. Namely, it appears as a theory and as a movement, i.e. as a political practice, and as activism, and they are intertwined and codependent. Finally, the episode briefly looks at the history of the movement with the understanding that the following module will introduce different feminist theories. The text of the episode written and read by Daša Duhaček For further reading: Rosemarie Putnam Tong,  Feminist Thought Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, 1988. Judith Butler and Joan W. Scott, eds. Feminists Theorize the Political Routledge, New York, 1992.

The episode first offers a brief look at how the past efforts of women theoretically, and in a politically engaging way, confronted discrimination in access to education. However, the emphasis in this episode is on contemporary, but still traditional prejudices and exclusionary practices concerning the education of girls and young women. Education is one of the keywords of the IDEAS project. This episode not only reiterates the mere fact that women - and any group that is discriminated against - have been denied education, but also explains what education today should be about. Therefore, although formally, the right to education is achieved in many - albeit to date, not all political communities – it is not effective in achieving anti-discrimination. Education needs to change from within. The exclusionary teaching practices are exemplified in how the issues of the body and sexuality are addressed in the classroom, and also in how two different, but key disciplines - mathematics and history - are taught today. Neglecting to support girls and women in learning is presented through illustrative and compelling arguments of the most enticing contemporary feminist theorists and activists in pedagogy. The text of the podcast is written and read by Nadja Duhaček For further reading: bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress Routledge, New York, 1994. Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, W.W. Norton & Co., New York, 1988/1975. Lydia Sklevicky, More Horses Than Women: On the Difficulties of Founding Women’s History in Yugoslavia in Gender & History, 1989, Vol 1/Issue 1

Third episode deals with one of the controversial, but also indispensable, categories of women’s studies: the category of gender. This category is first briefly explained through the history of its usage in feminist theorizing, the emphasis further being on the significance that the category of gender has for grounding and developing arguments in establishing anti-discriminatory practices not only where women are concerned, but also in fighting against other forms of discrimination. However, this episode also includes a critical assessment of the use of the category of gender. In that, we can follow how feminism was self-critical through its history, how it outgrew its own limitations in recognizing its racism, its homophobia. The episode also addresses contemporary heated debates concerning the category of gender. To give an account of one of those debates the episode includes an interview with Aleksa Milanović from Belgrade who helps us understand the transgender issues, and discriminatory mechanisms as well as how deeply discriminatory practices are embedded in our own communities. The introduction written and the interview conducted by Daša Duhaček For further reading: Judith Butler, Gender Trouble Routledge, New York, 1990. Rachel Anne Williams, Transgressive: A Trans Woman on Gender, Feminism, and Politics, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019.

The second episode is about Women’s Studies. This episode gives a brief explanation of the discipline, which is at the same time an exciting field of interdisciplinary research and is now, for half a century,  a challenging study program in the international academic community. Women’s Studies is best explained by telling the story of its beginnings, which takes us back to the politically turbulent, but intellectually stimulating times of the late sixties and seventies of the last century, to the times of student protests and women’s liberation movement. The episode reminds us that many issues of establishing Women’s Studies are still topics of debate, such as how do theories translate into political practices. One of the issues is, the institutionalization of Women’s Studies programs, and how this process relates to teaching and educational projects alternative to mainstream systems of higher education. On that topic, in this episode, we introduce a text by Jelisaveta Blagojević who shares both her experiences from within and from without the system. The episode is written and read by Daša Duhaček For further reading: Inderpal Grewal and Caren Kaplan, An Introduction to Women’s Studies. Gender in a transitional world. McGraw Hill, New York, 2002. Dragana Popović, ed. Center for Women’s Studies 1992-2012. Center for Women’s Studies, Belgrade, 2012.

The first episode introduces the program entitled Inclusive Digital Educational Anti-discriminatory AlternativeS (IDEAS). It takes us through the key elements of the whole program, and announces what it will offer, and, that is 36 podcasts structured within 7 modules. The first two modules serve as points of departure and are the basis of the program. They are Gender and feminisms and on Women’s herstories including presenting different Political and Theoretical standpoints. What follows, within module three, are individual stories of Women’s minorities - Roma, homeless, and migrant women. Module four addresses issues of Body, sexuality, and LGBTQI issues. Module five presents Lessons from political economy, albeit from the feminist perspective of analyzing Social reproduction. Next comes another burning issue of our times, the challenges and warnings about Climate changes. Can a look from a gender lenses propose some solutions? Finally, to summarize these debates the program tackles The Political, as a concept which can serve as a venue for change. The episode also names the organizations which conceptualized the program, as well as the authors of the podcasts. The IDEAS project is supported by the Erasmus + program and the Tempus Foundation. This podcast, a presentation of the IDEAS program is, on behalf the Center for Women’s Studies from Belgrade, given by Daša Duhaček, the coordinator of the project, with an intervention by Nadja Duhaček.