Towards an Understanding of Global Feminist Enlightenments

The project aims at developing a more inclusive and comprehensive notion of enlightenment in the plural that acknowledges the thought, values and perspectives of women from across the globe. 

Photo credit for picture of Akka Mahadevi: Renee Narendranath, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
1st row: Ban Zhao, 45 or 49-120 CE; Sei Shōnagon, c. 966-c. 1025; Murasaki Shikibu, c. 978-c. 1014; Akka Mahadevi, c. 1130-1160; Helena Blavatsky, 1831-1891
2nd row: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 1651-1695; Sister Nivedita 1867-1911; María de Agreda 1602-1665; Laura Bassi 1711-1778; Sojourner Truth 1797-1883 

By connecting researchers from Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa, the project aims at developing a concept of Global Feminist Enlightenments.

The main questions addressed in this project will be the following:

  1. What is enlightenment thought of women, and which are its core themes and concerns?
  2. What are the timelines for enlightenment thought of women in different parts of the world?
  3. What are the main challenges for women’s enlightenments?

By addressing these questions, the project contributes to reframing and transforming enlightenment studies in a more inclusive way and to establishing a new research field.

Researchers from UCPH

Name Title Phone E-mail
Ebbersmeyer, Sabrina Professor +4535328861 E-mail

External partner

Funding

This project is supported with HUM:Global Seed Money.

Project period: August 2025 - July 2026

PI: Sabrina Ebbersmeyer