Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the UO is a dynamic and collegial interdisciplinary department comprised of award-winning researchers, teachers, and public scholars. The department offers classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels that examine a broad range of feminist inquires, from queer studies, women of color and decolonial feminisms, migration and citizenship, social activism, archival studies, creative writing, environmental and climate justice, and other emergent subjects and methods. Our students learn how to think and read critically, to express themselves in writing and other creative forms, and to engage in professional practice through internships, setting them up for future study or work in fields such as social work, education, healthcare, non-profit management, library and museum studies. 

 

The Department is home to the Sally Miller Gearhart Lecture Series advancing lesbian history and culture, promoting dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, supporting diversity, and empowering lesbian and non-binary voices in higher education.

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Events

Chinook Justice: A Survivance Journey—Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium
Feb24
Chinook Justice: A Survivance Journey—Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium Feb 24 Many Nations Longhouse
Understanding the Latina/o Right
Feb27
Understanding the Latina/o Right Feb 27 William W. Knight Law Center
Candace Bond-Theriault: “Queering Reproductive Justice: An Invitation to Create Our Collective Future”
Mar4
Candace Bond-Theriault: “Queering Reproductive Justice: An Invitation to Create Our Collective Future” Mar 4
Prophecies, Seeds, and the Rights of Mother Earth: Lecture and Q&A with Winona LaDuke
Mar4
Prophecies, Seeds, and the Rights of Mother Earth: Lecture and Q&A with Winona LaDuke Mar 4 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Career Tour-Healthcare
Apr11
Career Tour-Healthcare Apr 11 Matthew Knight Arena
Health Grad & Career Expo 2025
Apr23
Health Grad & Career Expo 2025 Apr 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Deepa Iyer: "Reimagining Ecosystems for Social Change"
May14
Deepa Iyer: "Reimagining Ecosystems for Social Change" May 14 Knight Library
2025 Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commencement Ceremony
Jun15
2025 Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commencement Ceremony Jun 15 Miller Theatre Complex
2025 Native American and Indigenous/ Black/ Indigenous, Race and Ethnic/Latinx Studies Commencement Ceremony
Jun15
2025 Native American and Indigenous/ Black/ Indigenous, Race and Ethnic/Latinx Studies Commencement Ceremony Jun 15 Miller Theatre Complex

All Department events »

Isabel Millán stands in front of a poster of book covers holding her book

Isabel Millán's award-winning book: Coloring Into Existence: Queer of Color Worldmaking in Children’s Literature

Coloring into Existence received several International Latino Book Awards (ILBA) including a Gold Medal for “Best LGBTQ+ Themed Book," a Silver Medal for “The Raul Yzaguirre Best Political/Current Affairs Book," and Isabel was also honored with a “Rising Star” Award for Nonfiction.

What You Can Do with a Degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

A critical understanding of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies is an asset to careers in many fields, including non-profit management, social work, education, museum studies, library sciences, and publishing, among others. The WGSS major/minor and the QSTS minor also prepare students for entering interdisciplinary graduate programs that emphasize the study of women, gender, and sexuality, as well as traditional academic disciplines. A degree in WGSS provides students with a foundation for employment in:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Research institutes
  • Colleges and universities
  • Healthcare practices and organizations
  • Federal, state, and local government agencies
  • Youth and family agencies
  • Libraries and archives
  • Political action committees
  • Public interest groups
  • Human rights organizations
Cover of LGBT+ magazine

Feminist and Queer Zine Launch

What do feminist and queer zines look like? What is the collective power of zines, and how can they respond to our current political climate? Participants discussed these questions and more at the official launch party of the Gender Collective's inaugural issue, "Future Building: Hope and Praxis."

Our Degree Programs

Students in the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies can pursue a major or a minor. The department also offers a minor in queer studies and a graduate certificate in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.

Retired NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence speaking to a class

Learn from Experts in the Field

Our faculty are experts who conduct intersectional research within their fields and work closely with students to provide individualized guidance. Core and affiliated faculty in the department come from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, anthropology, sociology, geography, philosophy, law, political science, public policy, environmental studies, ethnic studies, religious studies, architecture and fine arts, music, romance and Germanic languages.

Students marching during the Take Back the Night rally

Get Real-world Experience

Our students extend their learning beyond the classroom through numerous experiential learning opportunities. Immerse yourself in another culture while studying abroad, develop vital job skills in an internship, or conduct original research on a topic that sparks your interest.

Scholarships and Funding

Students who need help funding their studies can apply for scholarships from the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences.

Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Our academic advisors can help students understand their major or minor requirements, plan their course of study, explore study abroad opportunities, and more.

Undergraduate Advising
Support for Graduate Students

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies News and CAS Events

ENGLISH, WOMEN'S, GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES - From noon to 1:30 pm Monday, Feb. 17, experts will discuss on the works by Octavia E. Butler's work and her legacy, as well as Afrofuturism, and how her literature can inspire us to see new futures and view the past through a new lens. “Octavia E. Butler’s work remains as urgent and essential as ever,” said Kemi Balogun, one of the organizers and an associate professor in CAS.
WOMEN'S, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES - Isabel Millán, an assistant professor at the University of Oregon, has worked to explore how children’s literature can be used as a tool to introduce different identities to kids at a young age. Millán has recently received numerous award for her 2023 publication Coloring into Existence: Queer of Color Worldmaking in Children’s Literature.
ROMANCE LANGUAGES, WOMEN'S AND GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES - Oregon Ducks come from all over the world, including the Basque Country, a small region carved out of northern Spain on the border with France. Meet Nagore Sedano Neveira and learn about her life's journey that brought her to University of Oregon.

All news »


 

Organic/Inorganic/Materials Seminar Series - Third Year Talks
Feb21
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Seminar Series - Third Year Talks Feb 21 Willamette Hall
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb21
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 21 Miller Theatre Complex
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb22
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 22 Miller Theatre Complex
University Theatre Presents: "The Long Game for Women in Politics" Panel Discussion
Feb22
University Theatre Presents: "The Long Game for Women in Politics" Panel Discussion Feb 22 Miller Theatre Complex
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb23
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 23 Miller Theatre Complex
Physical Chemistry Seminar Series - What’s spin got to do with it? Using organic semiconductors to manipulate spin for novel high-efficiency electronics   
Feb24
Physical Chemistry Seminar Series - What’s spin got to do with it? Using organic semiconductors to manipulate spin for novel high-efficiency electronics    Feb 24 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Chinook Justice: A Survivance Journey—Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium
Feb24
Chinook Justice: A Survivance Journey—Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium Feb 24 Many Nations Longhouse
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours
Feb24
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours Feb 24 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
Feb25
Department of History Coffee Hour Feb 25 McKenzie Hall
Disruption vs. Stability: Impacts on People and Policy Under a New Republican Majority
Feb25
Disruption vs. Stability: Impacts on People and Policy Under a New Republican Majority Feb 25 Ford Alumni Center

All CAS events »