Engaged Feminist Digital Social Research: Epistemological, Ethical and Political Debates (Part I)

Monday, 7 July 2025: 09:00-10:45
Location: FSE036 (Faculty of Education Sciences (FSE))
WG10 Digital Sociology (host committee)

Language: English and Spanish

In this working session about engaged feminist research in digital sociology we want to open the discussion to all various approaches, studies and learnt practices in the field of digital social research that focus their reflection of the how and why of these forms of contemporary research. We seeks to discuss about engaged ways to approach research about the intersection of gender, power, and technology in digital societies. Engaged feminist research in digital sociology also highlights the importance of intersectionality, recognizing that digital experiences are shaped by multiple and overlapping identities. Thus, we we especially welcome contributions that adopt an intersectional lens in their approach to complex digital realities.

We seek to discuss about feminist digital scholarship that has critically examined how digital platforms perpetuate and resist traditional gender norms and inequalities. We are open to practitioners, activists and social researchers that what to share feminist explorations to topics such as online violence, gendered labor in digital economies or the impact of algorithms on marginalized communities. There willl be ground to discuss about works that employing feminist methodologies, which emphasize reflexivity, participatory research, co-production of knowledge and collaboratively work with grassroots communities.

This session is also willing to receive all proposals that are imagining ways of bridging academic inquiry with real-world activism, striving to create digital spaces that are more just and inclusive for all. We are hoping to read about the role of sociology in the promotion digital equity, design of inclusive technologies, and support to grassroots digital activism.

Session Organizers:
Elisa GARCIA-MINGO, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, Jacinto GUTIÉRREZ LORCA, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain and Hector PUENTE-BIENVENIDO, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
Oral Presentations
Rethinking Online Misogyny: The Role of Female Creators in Spreading Antifeminist Ideologies
Ana FUENTES GUTIÉRREZ, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; Carla BARRIO, Spain
Avatars As Allies?: The Role of Social Virtual Reality in Constructing Safe Spaces and Technology. Methodological Challenges and Ethical Debates.
Manuel MACÍAS GÓMEZ DE VILLAR, Spain; Samuel CRUZ PÉREZ, Spain; Roberto FUENTES RODRÍGUEZ, Spain
See more of: WG10 Digital Sociology
See more of: Working Groups