Gender and Sexualities at UM

12/08/2026

We are proud to see our PhD student, Vania Agius Tabone, featured in Times of Malta. Her research highlights the persistent “motherhood penalty” in higher education and the need for meaningful institutional change.

Read the article:

Study finds that family-friendly measures alone are failing to tackle entrenched gender inequalities

07/07/2026

03/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GZZif1Prh/

🇬🇧 📢 We're Hiring: Coordinator (I Belong)

Are you passionate about integration, inclusion and creating stronger communities?

Join the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) as a Coordinator (I Belong) and contribute to the implementation of the SPRING project, an EU co-funded initiative supporting the integration of Third-Country Nationals in Malta.

In this role, you will coordinate and monitor the delivery of Malta's National Integration Programme – I Belong, support service quality, supervise team members, and help strengthen integration services that make a real difference.

🗓️ Apply now through the Government Recruitment Portal:
https://shorturl.at/OPgho

Applications close on the 13th July.

🇲🇹 📢 Pożizzjoni ta' Coordinator (I Belong)

Għandek passjoni għall-integrazzjoni, l-inklużjoni u l-bini ta' komunitajiet aktar b'saħħithom?

Ingħaqad mad-Direttorat għad-Dritijiet tal-Bniedem (HRD) bħala ‘Coordinator’ (I Belong)’ u għin fl-implimentazzjoni tal-proġett SPRING, inizjattiva kofinanzjata mill-Unjoni Ewropea li tappoġġja l-integrazzjoni taċ-Ċittadini ta' Pajjiżi Terzi f'Malta.

F'dan ir-rwol ser tikkoordina u timmonitorja t-twettiq tal-Programm Nazzjonali ta' Integrazzjoni I Belong, tassigura servizz ta' kwalità, tissorvelja lit-tim u tikkontribwixxi biex jissaħħu s-servizzi ta' integrazzjoni li jagħmlu differenza.

🗓️ Applika issa permezz tal-Government Recruitment Portal:
https://shorturl.at/5qil6

Applika issa! L-applikazzjonijiet jagħlqu fl-13 ta’ Lulju

03/07/2026

Silvana Zammit at the end of her PhD viva held on the 3 July 2026. Proud moment.

02/07/2026

The students from Look Star Dancers helped bring this vital message to life through their powerful dedication. This video was created to remind young people that they matter, their voices deserve to be heard, and abuse is never acceptable.

Inti tghodd - You count
Look Star Dancers Tarxien

Following a victim's journey through four scenarios of abuse, the video incorporates concepts from the Domestic Violence unit. It highlights how support services, like the Victim Support Agency, can help an individual move from victim to survivor—emphasizing healing, resilience, and empowerment.

🎓 Featuring work by Gracelle Debono (Diploma in Gender, Work and Society).

01/07/2026

✨ Representing at ENGV 2026! ✨

Huge congratulations to Franica Camilleri, who recently presented her research as a poster at the ENGV 2026 Conference in London!

This year’s conference theme, VISION — Voice, Health and Society, provided the perfect platform for Franica to showcase her crucial work exploring how the justice system responds to survivors of domestic violence. Beyond sharing her insights, she had the incredible opportunity to connect and collaborate with researchers from all around the world.

Well done, Franica, on shedding light on such a vital topic! 👏

22/06/2026

🌟 STUDENT RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Our department is incredibly proud to showcase an outstanding research project by student Helena Kuziak!

In her recent presentation, "Michelle Obama as a Leader," Helena delivers a powerful analysis of the former First Lady’s impact, leadership style, and resilience.

📌 Project Highlights:

The Journey: Helena traces Michelle Obama's path from a working-class family in Chicago to graduating from Princeton and Harvard Law, and ultimately stepping into the global spotlight as First Lady.

Overcoming Barriers: The research highlights how Obama navigated intense media scrutiny, traditional expectations, and systemic stereotypes as a Black woman in leadership.

Leadership in Action: Helena examines key initiatives like Let’s Move! and Reach Higher, showing how Obama used transformational and servant leadership to champion education, health, and social equality.

"Michelle Obama’s leadership is often interpreted through transformational and servant leadership theories, which emphasise inspiration, empathy, and influence rather than authority."

Why This Research Matters

Helena’s work beautifully demonstrates how leadership can extend far beyond traditional authority. By focusing on youth well-being and connecting with people on a personal, relatable level, Michelle Obama redefined her role and inspired a generation.

Please join us in celebrating Helena’s hard work, academic excellence, and insightful dedication to studying impactful leadership! 👏👏

18/06/2026

Solange Bonello's proud moment - her PhD viva which took pace on the 18th of June 2026.

02/06/2026

🎓 STUDENT RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT 🎓

Our department is incredibly proud to showcase this outstanding research project by student Fanni Kisbéri, titled: "Judit Polgár: Breaking Gender Stereotypes Through Chess."

Fanni’s work takes an in-depth look at how Hungarian grandmaster Judit Polgár challenged deeply ingrained institutional narratives, overcame systemic media bias, and dismantled the patriarchal structures of the competitive chess world.

From achieving the grandmaster title at just 15 years old to holding the consecutive world #1 female ranking for an astonishing 25 years, Polgár’s career serves as a powerful case study in transformational and feminist leadership.

➡️ Swipe through the gallery below to read Fanni's presentation slides and explore her findings on how symbolic leaders can redefine global conversations surrounding women and intelligence.

Join us in celebrating our students' academic achievements!

20/05/2026

Empowering Victims and Exposing Perpetrators: A Note of Thanks to Dr. Katerina Hadjimatheou

Yesterday evening, the Department of Gender and Sexualities at the University of Malta hosted Dr. Katerina Hadjimatheou for a critical lecture on the reality and future of Domestic Violence Disclosure Schemes (DVDS), widely known as "Clare’s Law."

Dr. Hadjimatheou shared vital insights from the largest global study of its kind, presenting data and feedback from over 600 survivors and 40 practitioners. Her presentation offered an essential look at how criminal history disclosure impacts safety, policy, and justice for at-risk individuals.

The Department extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Hadjimatheou, Director of the Centre for Criminology at the University of Ess*x and advisor to the UK Home Office, for sharing her landmark research and expertise with our academic community. Thank you also to the attendees whose presence and engagement contributed to this important discussion on violence prevention.