Gender study is a dynamic and growing research field which often challenges traditional forms of knowledge production. These challenges are also directed at its own activities – hence the title of this research program. The interdisciplinary gender research community within Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS) including the National Graduate School for Gender Studies at Umeå University together with Forum for gender studies at Mid Sweden University is our main resource.

There are several strong research groups, assuring methodological and theoretical pluralism as well as rich empirical and theoretical knowledge. This diversity is a main source for European and global collaboration within the five themes (the petals of the flower) of the programme. We are also working on creating an interdisciplinary arena (the middle of the flower) for reflection and theoretical development and make this arena the base for broad international comparisons and collaboration. One of the most important objectives of the program is to increase the internalisation of the research.