The Centre for Interdisciplinary Women’s and Gender Studies at Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg (ZFG) is a forum for inter- and transdisciplinary Gender Studies. Objectives are

• prompt and inspire research questions,
• initiate research projects,
• promote interdisciplinary and international work,
• productively use the network of scholarly perspectives for research and teaching.

The ZFG is the central space at the university for researchers, young academics, students, and other professionals. Here, they find an organizational structure and resources to pool, (continue to) develop across subjects and disciplines, and network activities and projects in the field of Women’s and Gender Studies.

In particular, the ZFG’s tasks are:

• Promoting the cooperation between researchers from different disciplines, the initiation and support of research projects, and the publication of research findings from Gender Studies and Queer Studies in our publication series.
• Supporting young academics in the field of Gender Studies / Queer Studies.
• Supporting existing Gender Studies and Queer Studies degree programmes, especially the close tie between research and teaching in the research-oriented design of the dual bachelor’s degree programme Gender Studies.
• Assisting the introduction and implementation of gender and queer perspectives into degree programmes and the university’s disciplines.
• Fostering national and international contacts to and relations with researchers who focus on Gender Studies and Queer Studies.

Founded as a research institute (pursuant to §117 Niedersächsisches Hochschulgesetz) in December 2000 as one of the first two of its kind in Germany, the ZFG began its work in January of 2001. Activities are determined by the Centre Board, which is elected by the members of the centre.

Freedom of science is protected from political interference by Article 5, Paragraph 3 of the German Basic Law (GG) and is guaranteed worldwide as a human right. It is an indispensable component of democratic states and their political order. Against the backdrop of German history, this freedom must be honoured, defended and constantly realised anew as the inviolable foundation of our democracy. Any interference in academic structures and the freedom of research not only damages academic institutions and their international reputation; it also causes considerable damage to democracy as a whole.
The freedom of science is inextricably linked to the freedom of society, because without it there is neither innovation nor progress - but both are based on research. On 18 January 2025, Alice Weidel announced at the AfD party conference that a government under her leadership would close all gender studies institutions. "We will throw out all these professors," said Weidel. In doing so, she concretises her programmatic rejection of an entire discipline and threatens to massively interfere with the freedom of research and teaching. These statements are not only unconstitutional, but also deeply anti-democratic. An attack on gender studies sets a precedent that can be extended to other scientific disciplines and fields of work at will.
The independence of science applies without restriction to all areas of research. It ensures that scientific progress is possible and thus forms the basis for the sustainability of democracy and pluralism. Constructive, objective criticism and open discussion of research and teaching among the general public are just as important components of this progress as science communication. We unequivocally reject any attempts to discredit or threaten individual researchers, research groups or disciplines. Hostility towards science and intellectuals are key characteristics of authoritarian politics that undermine society's trust in science. We condemn any threats against researchers, whether in the field of gender studies or in other disciplines. We reaffirm our belief that the autonomy of science and academia is crucial to the democratic system. Attacks on academic freedom are attacks on democracy itself.

Association for Gender Studies (fg-gender.de)

Website: www.fg-gender.de/angriffen-auf-die-freiheit-von-forschung-und-lehre-entschlossen-entgegentreten/