An open professorial lecture related to gender, law and pop culture took place at Sheffield Hallum University on Wednesday, March 6.
Anja Louis is a Professor of Transnational Popular Culture at Sheffield Hallam University and has published widely in the fields of gender, law and culture.
In this interactive lecture, she drew on her research and lived experience and explored how much power law and culture have in terms of women, and what people can learn from it.
As an early celebration of International Women’s Day, she delivered a lecture on ‘the good, the bad, and the beautiful’ based on research she collated herself yesterday.
During the lecture, Professor Louis talked about feminist history, the revolution of the feminist movement from the 1930s and common themes in law and popular culture from early 20th-century feminist writings to 21st-century film and television and also analysed works of the Spanish feminist Carmen de Burgos.
Professor Louis said: “We’re moving in the right direction, creating an awareness of how women are portrayed in films and TV dramas. It’s nothing but a good start.
“Social change is slow, bumpy and hard work for those who try to bring it about. Once we start analysing these portrayals in detail, we realise that there are patterns and stereotypes.
“Asserting your rightful place in society is draining, because you’re rocking the boat that’s full of people who don’t understand what the problem is. It’s therefore important to look at feminist history to make sure that every generation of women doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel.”
This lecture aimed to celebrate the upcoming International Women’s Day, empowering and impacting women by analysing female portrayals in pop culture.
More information on the open lecture can be found at https://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visit/what-s-on/all-events/?tag=talks-lectures