Carol Smart discusses her work with Jeffrey Weeks (Highlights): Leading Manchester Sociologists

Summary

This transcript reflects on the intersection of feminist scholarship, activism, and sociological work. The speaker discusses their involvement in various movements, particularly focused on women in prisons and feminist legal theory. They highlight the evolution of feminist theory, the importance of methodological approaches, and the role of empirical work in shaping political and personal understanding. Over time, there’s a shift from a purely theoretical approach to one that emphasizes the lived experiences of individuals, fostering a more nuanced understanding of power, identity, and representation in everyday life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emancipatory movements, such as feminism, were central to the speaker's political and intellectual work, particularly in the context of gender and sexuality.
• 😀 The integration of political perspectives into writing and scholarship, particularly on gender and sexuality, was seen as radical at the time.
• 😀 The feminist movement was divided over the adoption of Foucault's analysis of power, with some finding it a useful way to move beyond traditional victimization narratives.
• 😀 The shift towards a Foucauldian understanding of power was seen as an opportunity to explore the complexities of power and its effects on individuals and society.
• 😀 The speaker moved from a highly theoretical focus to a more practical, people-oriented approach in both teaching and research, particularly in sociology and law.
• 😀 The feminist turn in academia led to a growing focus on theoretical frameworks, such as cultural theory, which at times disconnected from the real lived experiences of people.
• 😀 Courses on topics like sexuality and the body were more common than courses on family, reflecting a deliberate avoidance of traditional concepts of the family in feminist discourse.
• 😀 The speaker emphasized the importance of using academic work to understand and address the everyday lives and experiences of people, especially marginalized groups.
• 😀 Collective work and collaboration within feminist spaces, particularly post-2005, contributed to the creation of new sociological knowledge and methodologies.
• 😀 Writing about personal lives and family experiences, especially when doing empirical work, was viewed as both an ethical responsibility and a transformative act in understanding people’s lived experiences.

Q & A

What role did writing play in the political projects discussed in the transcript?

Writing was seen as a crucial component in political activism, particularly in feminist movements. It was not only a form of expression but also a way to challenge societal norms and engage with issues like gender, sexuality, and power dynamics. The act of writing itself, especially on topics like sexuality and gender, was considered radical at the time.

How did the speaker's involvement in various feminist organizations shape their approach to writing?

The speaker was involved in campaigns related to women's rights and prisons, and organizations like Rights of Women, which focused on engaging with legal and social issues. These experiences shaped their writing by intertwining political activism with intellectual inquiry, allowing for a more engaged and politically aware approach to academic work.

What was the impact of adopting Michel Foucault's analysis of power in feminist scholarship?

Foucault's analysis of power allowed feminist scholars to move beyond the victimization framework and explore the complexities of power dynamics in society. It led to a more nuanced understanding of how power operates in everyday life, challenging traditional notions and helping to reframe feminist scholarship in more dynamic and critical ways.

Why did the speaker find the focus on structural analysis limiting in their work?

The speaker became frustrated with an overemphasis on structural analysis, feeling it became repetitive and detached from real-world applications. They sought to shift towards more empirical work, which they found more engaging and relevant to understanding people's lived experiences, especially in the context of family, sexuality, and personal lives.

How did the 'cultural turn' in feminism affect the speaker's approach to their work?

The 'cultural turn' in feminism, which emphasized theoretical discussions and cultural analysis, made the speaker feel distanced from practical, everyday concerns. They wanted to return to simpler forms of engagement, focusing more on real-world interactions and less on abstract theoretical frameworks.

What shift did the speaker observe in the types of courses being taught in feminist studies?

The speaker noted that courses in feminist studies had moved away from discussing the family, a subject that had become politically charged, and instead focused on topics like sexuality, the body, and gender. This shift reflected the broader political and intellectual climate of the time, which sought to challenge traditional family structures and understand identity in new ways.

How did the speaker's methodological approach to sociology evolve over time?

The speaker's methodological approach evolved from a heavy focus on theory to incorporating more empirical research, emphasizing the importance of understanding everyday interactions. They sought to engage with people's personal lives and experiences, advocating for methods that represented these complexities more authentically.

What role did collective work play in the speaker's feminist projects?

Collective work became a central aspect of the speaker's feminist practice, especially around 2005 when they joined a new academic center. This collaborative environment fostered the generation of new kinds of knowledge and supported a more integrated approach to research and activism.

Why did the speaker choose to step away from labeling their work as 'feminist'?

The speaker moved away from labeling their work with the term 'feminist' because the term had become more of a barrier than a tool for engagement. They recognized that the label could alienate some audiences, and in some cases, it was more important to communicate with specific groups rather than maintain a label that no longer reflected the evolving nature of their work.

What ethical responsibility did the speaker discuss regarding writing about the personal lives of others?

The speaker emphasized an ethical responsibility to represent people's personal lives authentically and fully, recognizing the complexity of their experiences. They highlighted the importance of listening carefully and understanding the nuances of different perspectives, especially when working with vulnerable groups like children, who may not always tell straightforward stories.