Over the last decade, the Research Network Affects, Feelings & Emotions has been a central hub for research at the intersection of affect theory, gender, and diversity studies. The network aims to bring together existing and prospective research by scholars from various disciplines in Switzerland and beyond (e.g., Anthropology, Art Science, Film Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, Literature Studies, Sociology).
The field of interest is both theoretically and methodologically widespread, and an interdisciplinary exchange among the network members is fostered and encouraged. The research network also supports early-career researchers engaging with affects and emotions.
In 2024, a new format of annual research talks will be established. Join us for a workshop exploring contemporary debates in affect theory and gender on the 3rd of May at the University of Bern (10am – 4 pm).

Call for participation and more information can be found here (pdf).

Debates about emotions, emotional labour, and gendered competencies in love, romance and intimacy have been central to gender studies since its inception. Since the beginning of the 21st century, these debates have been developed in the English-speaking world within the framework of affect studies and are now being established in research on gender. On the one hand, this field of research ties in with academic traditions in feminist theory; on the other hand, new perspectives are finding their way into the academic debate. The aim of the research network is to bring together existing and future research on debates at the intersection of gender, affect, feelings and emotions. The field of interest is broad, both theoretically and methodologically, and covers the following areas, although new foci are also welcome:

- Politics of affects: borders and permeabilities
- Representation and immediacy of affect
- Gender, emotions and narration: narrated worlds of emotions
- Negotiating affect in the performing and visual arts
- History of emotions
- Affect studies and postcolonial theory
- Affective morals and moral affect
- Emotional labour in neoliberalism
- Affective economies
- Hegemonic emotional regimes and manifestations of emotions in gendered modes of existence
- Affective theoretical approaches and psychoanalysis
- Affect in the neurosciences
- Emotional psychology
- Sexuality and affect
- Affect studies and theories of intersubjectivity
- Affect studies and queer temporality
- Research on specific emotions/feelings i.e. joy, fear, shame

The research network ‘Affects, Feelings and Emotions’ meets once a year for research talks of 1,5 days. The aim of the research talks is an exchange on the participant’s research and projects and to discuss current publications. In addition, specific collaborations take place, for example the joint panel submission to the conference “Gender(ed) labour” of the Swiss Association of Gender Studies 2023.

Joining the working group is possible at any time. Contact: Isabelle Albisser