5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Very recently, the academic landscape has been affected by increasing anti-woke sentiments that manage to erode the foundations of critical scholarship, particularly within feminist, gender, and queer studies. Anti-woke sentiments can manifest in several ways, including editorial bias and censorship, high-profile cases of article retraction, and mass protests resignations of editorial boards.

Anti-woke sentiments have emerged as a significant force in contemporary discourse, characterized by resistance against progressive ideologies and movements that advocate for social justice, equality, and inclusivity. This backlash is often driven by concerns over perceived overreach in political correctness, identity politics, and the changing cultural landscape. The rise of anti-woke sentiments poses a direct threat to critical scholarship, particularly in fields that examine power dynamics, social inequalities, and marginalized identities.

Scholars in fields such as feminist, gender, and queer studies are especially vulnerable and face increasing scrutiny and resistance, which can lead to self-censorship, reduced funding, and a hostile academic environment. The pressure to conform to anti-woke perspectives can undermine the quality and integrity of research, limiting the scope of scholarly inquiry and innovation. This session, organized by RC32 Regional Representatives Europe, addresses, but is not limited, to such questions as:

• How increasing anti-woke sentiments and societal divisions over identity impact gender-related publishing?
• What are the broader implications of these challenges on democratic values and feminist scholarship?
• Which best practices and strategies can maintain a critical edge in scholarly debate amidst rising pressures?

We encourage emerging scholars, especially journal editors and non-Anglophone academics, to join the session.