The origins of RHEA
RHEA evolved out of the Centrum voor Vrouwenstudies (Center for Women’s Studies), which was established at VUB in 1987 as the first academic centre for women’s studies in Flanders and only later renamed as RHEA. The center was the initiative of a number of engaged female academic staff members who aimed to stimulate research on gender inequalities and the position of women in society. Prof. em. Lydia De Pauw-Deveen was its first director. She was followed up by prof. em. Machteld De Metsenaere and prof. em. Alison Woodward.
RHEA as an Expertise Centre
RHEA was relaunched as the Expertise Centre for Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality in 2014. By integrating intersectionality in its name and working, RHEA centralizes the importance of understanding gender inequalities always in interaction with other categories of differentiation based on ethnicity, sexuality, religion, class, ability and age. Intersectionality has therefore been integrated as a central theoretical framework in our research, education and activities. The Centre has also been involved in the development of the Master and Schakelprogramma Gender en Diversiteit.
As an Expertise Centre RHEA also organized the annual Genderweek, a week full of lectures, workshops and other events related to gender, to commemorate the 8th of March. Find out more on our subpage on Genderweek!
RHEA now
Since 2024, RHEA has become a Research Centre, refocusing on research as our core activity.
What does RHEA do?
- Specialise in fundamental and applied research on gender, diversity & intersectionality in a variety of academic disciplines
- Provide a university-wide platform for researchers and lecturers to connect around topics related to gender, diversity and intersectionality
- Build partnerships with different stakeholders who hold an academic or soceital interest in gender, diversity and intersectionality