Feminist Research in Contentious Contexts: Navigating Hostile Fields *Date:* Wednesday, 22 October *Time:* 15:30–17:00 (London, GMT+1) *Location:* Online *RSVP:* https://forms.gle/vCzN6GmPsd1Lo8GU9 <https://forms.gle/vCzN6GmPsd1Lo8GU9>*The link will be provided 5 days before the event.* ------------------------------ This seminar addresses the distinctive methodological, ethical, and safety challenges faced by researchers examining anti-gender and anti-feminist politics. Drawing on fieldwork experiences, the discussion foregrounds practical strategies for gaining access to hard-to-reach participants—including movement organizers, online influencers, and policy entrepreneurs—while minimizing risks to both researchers and participants. Topics include: - Rapport-building across ideological divides - Negotiating with gatekeepers in volatile environments - Designing trauma-informed, security-conscious research protocols - Managing confidentiality under doxxing threats, misinformation, and hostility ------------------------------ Guiding Questions - When engaging with organizers or influencers who may be suspicious of researchers, what strategies are effective for building trust while maintaining ethical boundaries? - When interviewing far-right activists or influencers, how can researchers balance rapport-building with safeguarding against co-option, intimidation, or harm? The seminar will begin with reflections from each speaker (10–15 minutes each), followed by responses, and a Q&A. ------------------------------ Speakers *Dr Nayia Kamenou* (Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Cyprus) Dr Kamenou’s work examines feminist research methodologies in contentious and hostile contexts. She has published widely on gender politics, anti-feminism, and feminist ethics in journals including *European Journal of Women’s Studies*, *Sexualities*, *International Feminist Journal of Politics*, and *European Journal of Politics and Gender*. In 2021, she received the International Political Science Association "Wilma Rule" Award for Best Research on Gender and Politics. *Dr Ivan Tranfić* (Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute for Social Research, Zagreb) Dr Tranfić’s research focuses on anti-gender mobilizations, radical-right politics, and religion and populism. His doctoral research compared anti-gender movements in Southeast Europe, based on interviews with leaders of NGOs, civil initiatives, and far-right parties. He is affiliated with the Center on Social Movement Studies (COSMOS). ------------------------------ *Organized by* Dr Anya Kuteleva (University of Wolverhampton) and Dr Martyna Bryla (Universidad de Málaga) with the support of *COST Action CA23149 – Democratization at stake? Comparing Anti-Gender Politics in CEE and NME countries (Antigender-Politics)*. More information: https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA23149/ <https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA23149/>This seminar forms part of a larger initiative: a series of methodology seminars in the format of scholarly interviews. Each seminar will feature two speakers and one interviewer in a live dialogue, followed by audience Q&A. The series aims to document diverse methodological practices and may culminate in a collaborative publication on methods, amplifying shared insights and fostering collective knowledge-making. If you want to get involved in any capacity, please contact *Anya* at: a.kuteleva@gmail.com. -- Anya Kuteleva, PhD *Discover my work: www.akuteleva.com <http://www.akuteleva.com>* Senior Lecturer in International Relations University of Wolverhampton, UK A.Kuteleva@wlv.ac.uk