Disciplining Feminism

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How was academic feminism shaped by the very institutions it aimed to change? Ellen Messer-Davidow explores this in her analysis of feminism's evolution within academia. Initially launched as a transformative movement bridging scholarly knowledge and activism, feminism has become entrenched in institutional structures, distancing itself from national political struggles. Drawing on her extensive personal involvement and fieldwork, Messer-Davidow outlines the transformation of feminism through three key phases. She begins by showing how early feminists integrated their activism with institutional processes to establish a presence in academic settings. Next, she examines the relationship between institutionalization and intellectualization, detailing how feminist studies emerged as a distinct academic field in the mid-1970s. While acknowledging the successes of this transition into higher education, she argues that institutionalization inevitably alters even the most radical movements. The concluding chapters address the future of feminism amid a conservative climate and explore the potential for social change. With its interdisciplinary approach, this work will appeal to readers interested in women's studies, American higher education, and the dynamics of social transformation.