Future of Feminist Security Studies : CURIOSITY

Our discussion about the future of Feminist Security Studies brought up some important ideas, many that were reiterated in our readings. I particularly found our discussion regarding how we could continue to cultivate our initial feminist studies. An important idea we touch on was that “it implies a radically different ontology based on an acceptance of vulnerability and uncertainty where ambiguity and strangeness are embraced, or at least acknowledged” (Wibben, 2011 p.113). There is a deep-rooted aversion to admitting one’s vulnerability and uncertainty, especially in the academic field. This class has taught me, it’s okay to admit you don’t know the answer or that you’re not comfortable with some material. I think this is extremely important to understand moving forward. We should be finding more questions than definite answers. Just the act of realizing those questions exist and are important is a critical step in feminist studies.
Similarly, the idea that “how open a researcher is to engaging in (self-) reflexive research processes, interrogating their own positionality and privilege, questioning its impact on what can be perceived, being willing and able to be surprised, and adopting a stance of curiosity” (Wibben, 2011 p.111) has made me realize things before that I accepted as givens. Recognizing what we are not questioning is what I will concentrate on in the future. It has made me look back on so many papers, presentations and classes I have taken in the past in a new light, which is what I think feminist studies as a whole is all about; recognizing certain aspects that are left unquestioned and maintain a curiosity to identify them.

Wibben, A. (2011). Feminist Security Studies: A Narrative Approach. New York: Routledge