Women’sStudiesin Turkish Academia: Exploring KnowledgeProduction through Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

In this study, 33 dissertations conducted in women's studies doctoral programs
in Turkey between 2018 and 2024, spanning from the earliest completed
dissertation to the most recent with finalized data analysis, were thematically
analyzed to systematically identify the prevailing trends, themes, and social
issues addressed in the generation of feminist knowledge. Theoretically, the
study is based on Haraway's concept of situated knowledge and feminist critique
of knowledge. Methodologically, a qualitative research design based on
document analysis was used, and the data was analyzed using Braun and
Clarke's six-step thematic analysis, which was supported by MAXQDA
software. The findings identified the following six main themes: "Feminist
Activism and Empowerment," "Migration, Identity and Gender," "The Body,
Health and Life Cycle Experiences," "Gender Roles and Masculinity,"
"Cultural, Familial and Ecological Representations," and "Everyday Life and
Gender." These themes elucidate how feminist knowledge contributes to social
transformation and its connection to contemporary debates regarding
digitalization, care work, ecofeminism, and everyday life. The findings, which
underscore the practical relevance of doctoral research and its academic
contributions, emphasize the importance of women's studies doctoral programs
in developing policies based on gender equality and provide a guiding
framework for future researchIn this study, 33 dissertations conducted in women's studies doctoral programs
in Turkey between 2018 and 2024, spanning from the earliest completed
dissertation to the most recent with finalized data analysis, were thematically
analyzed to systematically identify the prevailing trends, themes, and social
issues addressed in the generation of feminist knowledge. Theoretically, the
study is based on Haraway's concept of situated knowledge and feminist critique
of knowledge. Methodologically, a qualitative research design based on
document analysis was used, and the data was analyzed using Braun and
Clarke's six-step thematic analysis, which was supported by MAXQDA
software. The findings identified the following six main themes: "Feminist
Activism and Empowerment," "Migration, Identity and Gender," "The Body,
Health and Life Cycle Experiences," "Gender Roles and Masculinity,"
"Cultural, Familial and Ecological Representations," and "Everyday Life and
Gender." These themes elucidate how feminist knowledge contributes to social
transformation and its connection to contemporary debates regarding
digitalization, care work, ecofeminism, and everyday life. The findings, which
underscore the practical relevance of doctoral research and its academic
contributions, emphasize the importance of women's studies doctoral programs
in developing policies based on gender equality and provide a guiding
framework for future research.