Administrators within the Department of Women’s Studies and Feminist Research (WSFR) at The University of Western Ontario say their program has “really come of age” with the new addition of a PhD program expected to begin in September.
At the March 20 meeting of Senate, members unanimously supported the introduction of the PhD program in WSFR; however it is pending final approval by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS).
“It is what you aspire to as a department,” says graduate chair Katherine McKenna.
The undergraduate program in women’s studies is more than 20 years old and the Master’s degree was launched in 2007.
“We had a lot of support – in fact push – from our faculty to do it,” she says. “Starting the PhD in 2009 means we’ve really come of age as a department and as a program. It’s a very exciting moment for us to have the PhD.”
Similarly, McKenna says there has been demand at the undergraduate and master’s level for a PhD program.
“Our undergraduate students have found it very exciting. It’s like they see the future opening up for them, what they can do with women’s studies after they finish their degree.”
With the Ontario government’s commitment of funding for graduate expansion and Western naming graduate growth one of its top priorities, Linda Miller, Vice-Provost (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies), says the proposal came at the right time.
“The timing is right for the department to launch a doctoral program – interest in graduate level studies in WSFR is high and graduate expansion is a top priority for Western,” she says. “We have every confidence that the doctoral program will be highly successful.”
The success of the master’s program, which draws more applicants than it can accommodate, will be strengthened by the PhD program, she adds.
The new graduate program will also address a vehement demand for women’s studies PhD programs in the province.
Currently, there are two PhD programs in women’s studies in Ontario at the University of Ottawa and York University.
The Western program will include four fields of specialization: feminist theory; health, sexuality and embodiment; representation and cultural production; and equity and social structures. These areas draw on the research strengths of the department’s core and affiliated faculty members.
A unique feature is students will be required to complete an exercise in course design in lieu of writing traditional comprehensive exams. McKenna says this will give students practical experience to take into the workforce and the course outlines will be considered for the undergraduate program.
The department is hoping to accept three applicants to the PhD program beginning September 1, and once the program is on its feet, there are plans for expansion.
With other Canadian universities considering cutting women’s studies programs, McKenna says the support of the university shows the department holds an integral place at Western.
“We’ve certainly never had any indication that women’s studies is under threat here at Western … we are backed strongly to expand in the graduate program.”
Aside from training future scholars, McKenna foresees graduates of the PhD program making a difference in the government and business world.
“The kind of theoretical analysis and expertise in gender analysis, our PhDs will be well positioned to be in many different fields.”
Women’s Studies and Feminist Research department chair Tracy Isaacs says the program is “extremely exciting for the department.”
For a research department to thrive, it is important to have a PhD program, she says.
“We think there is a real need in Canada for PhD programs in women’s studies. There aren’t very many, so there’s certainly the place for one more.”
The program has been submitted to OCGS for review and approval, a process which includes an onsite review conducted by two consultants with expertise in the field. The university has not received notification of the date for the review. Miller says the university is hopeful the program will be approved before September.
For more information about the PhD program contact McKenna at kmckenna@uwo.ca.