We’re getting women grad students together socially
December 22, 2011 § Leave a Comment
In my department, the female grad students have begun meeting regularly. We get together on a Friday or Saturday night at someone’s apartment and spend a couple of hours socializing and discussing our experiences as women in philosophy. The great thing about our group is that we have a lot of fun. I think we all find it relieving to be in a room that is primarily female after so many seminars, talks, and conferences comprised mostly of men.
I also think it’s actually important for women in philosophy to take time to enjoy each others’ company. Friendship is an important factor in an academic community. Unfortunately, sexual politics prevent some sorts of friendly interactions between men and women. When departments are largely male, this leads to the exclusion of women, often through no fault of the parties involved. One solution is for women to be active in building friend groups within philosophy – which is just what we’re about.
