Visiting Professor Sylvia Walby OBE

© Prof. Sylvia Walby

AboutProfessor Sylvia Walby OBE

Professor Sylvia Walby OBE FBA FAcSS holds the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Anneliese Maier Research Award with the Essen College of Gender Research and the Institute of Sociology of the University of Duisburg-Essen as host institutions. She holds a Professorship in the School of Law and Social Sciences in Royal Holloway, University of London. The renowned scientist is a Fellow of the British Academy and Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences and served as the Chair of the UK Research Excellence Framework REF2021 Sub-Panel for Sociology. Walby was awarded an OBE for services to equal opportunities and diversity in 2008. She was the European Sociological Association’s founding President. Following her Presidency of the Research Committee 02 Economy and Society of the International Sociological Association, she is Founding Co-President of the International Sociological Association’s Thematic Group 11 on Violence and Society.

Sylvia Walby is one of the leading theorists of the sociology of gender inequalities and social change in the world, as, inter alia, documented by numerous awards, fellowships and her participation in high-ranking national and international research projects.  Her research centres on re-building a theory of society that takes account of violence and of gender relations. This involves developing a complex systems approach to society, which enables a better approach to the intersectionality of multiple systems of inequality. Her work includes developing the analysis of varieties of gender regimes and global processes, trafficking in human beings, and the concept and measurement of violence. Gender is mainstreamed throughout.

The influence of Walby’s theoretical and empirical work transcends academia. She advises on the implications of research findings for policy bodies including the European Commission, European Parliament, European Institute for Gender Equality, Council of Europe, UN Secretary-General, UNESCO, UNDP, UN Women, UK Home Office, UK Treasury, UK Parliamentary Select Committees, and Third Sector organisations including Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis, Refuge, and the Women’s Budget Group.

Contact: E-Mail

Publications

 Books (24)

  • Walby, S., Shire, K. (2024) Trafficking Chains: Modern Slavery in Society.  Bristol: Bristol University Press.
  • Walby, S., Towers, J., Balderston, S., Corradi, C., Francis, B., Heiskanen, M. … Strid, S. (2017). The concept and measurement of violence against women and men. Policy Press. ISBN 978-1-4473-3264-0.
  • Walby, S. (2015). Crisis. Cambridge: Polity Press. ISBN 978-0-7456-4760-9.
  • Walby, S., Olive, P., Towers, J., Francis, B., Strid, S., Krizsan, A. … Armstrong, J. (2015). Stopping rape: towards a comprehensive policy. Policy Press. ISBN 978-1-4473-2209-2.
  • Walby, S. (2011). The Future of Feminism. Cambridge: Polity Press. ISBN 978-0-7456-4757-9.
  • Walby, S. (2009). Globalization and Inequalities: Complexity and Contested Modernities. Los Angeles: Sage. ISBN 978-0-8039-8518-6.
  • Walby, S., Gottfried, H., Gottschall, K. and Osawa, M. (2007). Gendering the Knowledge Economy. Palgrave Macmillan UK. ISBN 978-0-230-57570-7.
  • Abercrombie, N., Warde, A., Deem, R., Penna, S., Sayer, A., Soothill, K. … Walby, S. (2000). Contemporary British Society. Cambridge: Polity Press.
  • Walby, S. (Ed.), (1999). New Agendas for Women. Basingstoke: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-74558-2.
  • Walby, S. (1997). Gender Transformations. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-12080-2.
  • Walby, S., Greenwell, J., Mackay, L. and Soothill, K. (1994). Medicine and nursing: professions in a changing health service. London: Sage. ISBN 978-0-8039-8741-8.
  • Abercrombie, N., Warde, A., Soothill, K., Urry, J. and Walby, S. (1994). Contemporary British Society. Cambridge: Polity.
  • Soothill, K. and Walby, S. (1991). Sex Crime in the News. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-05801-8.
  • Aaron, J. and Walby, S. (Eds.), (1991). Out of the Margins: Women’s Studies in the Nineties. Basingstoke: Falmer Press. ISBN 978-1-85000-969-6.
  • Bagguley, P., Mark-Lawson, J., Shapiro, D., Urry, J., Walby, S. and Warde, A. (1990). Restructuring: Place, Class, and Gender. London: Sage Publications. ISBN 978-0-8039-8214-7.
  • Walby, S. (1989). Theorising patriarchy.
  • Walby, S. (Ed.), (1988). Gender Segregation at Work. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. ISBN 978-0-335-15563-7.
  • Abercrombie, N., Warde, A., Soothill, K., Urry, J. and Walby, S. (1988). Contemporary British Society. Cambridge: Polity Press.
  • Walby, S. (1986). Patriarchy at Work: Patriarchal and Capitalist Relations in Employment. Cambridge: Polity Press. ISBN 978-0-7456-0158-8.
  • Murgatroyd, L. (1985). Localities, class, and gender. ISBN 978-0-85086-115-0.
  • (2013). Introduction. Routledge.
  • European Societies. Routledge.
  • Walby, S. Foreword. Bristol University Press.
  • Mobilities and Complexities. Routledge.

 Chapters (71)

  • Walby, S. (2021). Social Theory and COVID: Including Social Democracy. Pandemics, Politics, and Society (pp. 191–208). De Gruyter.
  • Walby, S. (2018). Policies for inclusive economic growth. Soundings (pp. 32–49).
  • Walby, S. (2018). The concept of inclusive economic growth: What would economic growth for people look like? Soundings (pp. 138–154).
  • Walby, S. (2018). Towards zero violence? Global Dialogue
  • (2017). Turning Piketty into a Sociologist? In Twenty-First Century Inequality & Capitalism: Piketty, Marx and Beyond (pp. 56–63). BRILL.
  • Walby, S. (2014). Developments in the sociology of gender and women's studies. Developments in Sociology (pp. 121–140). ISBN 978-1-315-83812-0.
  • Walby, S. (2013). Visibility vs credibility. Public Service Review Europe
  • Walby, S. (2012). Beyond the politics of location. In Hughes, C. (Ed.), Researching gender Sage. ISBN 978-1-4462-4874-4.
  • Walby, S. and Towers, J. (2012). Measuring the impact of cuts in public expenditure on the provision of services to prevent violence against women and girls. Safe - The Domestic Abuse Quarterly (pp. 14–17).
  • Walby, S. (2012). Sociology and social change: Integrating the analyses of complex inequalities and globalization into the heart of social theory using complexity theory. In Kalekin-Fishman, D. and Denis, A. (Eds.), The Shape of Sociology for the 21st Century: Tradition and Renewal (pp. 61–79). Sage. ISBN 0-85702-129-X.
  • Walby, S. (2012). Contested outcomes: Feminism and neoliberalism. Global Dialogue
  • Walby, S. (2012). Integrating the Analysis of Complex Inequalities and Globalization into the Heart of Social Theory Using Complexity Theory. The Shape of Sociology for the 21st Century: Tradition and Renewal (pp. 61–80). SAGE Publications Ltd..
  • Walby, S. (2011). Globalization and Multiple Inequalities. Analyzing Gender, Intersectionality, and Multiple Inequalities: Global, Transnational and Local Contexts (pp. 17–33). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
  • Walby, S. (2011). The future of feminism. Safe - The Domestic Abuse Quarterly (pp. 4–7).
  • Walby, S., Armstrong, J. and Strid, S. (2011). Developing measures of multiple forms of sexual violence and their contested treatment in the criminal justice system. Handbook on Sexual Violence (pp. 90–113). ISBN 978-0-415-67072-2.
  • Walby, S. and Myhill, A. (2008). New survey methodologies in researching violence against women. In Freeman, M. (Ed.), Domestic Violence Ashgate. ISBN 978-0-7546-2644-2.
  • Walby, S. (2008). From statistics to indicators: How to convert information from surveys into practical indicators. In Aromaa, K. and Heiskanen, M. (Eds.), Victimisation Surveys in Comparative Perspective (pp. 180–188). Heuni [PDF].
  • Walby, S. (2007). Theorizing the gendering of the knowledge economy: Comparative perspectives. In Walby, S., Gottfried, H., Gottschall, K. and Osawa, M. (Eds.), Gendering the Knowledge Economy (pp. 3–50). Palgrave. ISBN 978-1-4039-9457-8.
  • Walby, S. (2007). Violence conjugale, agression sexuelle et harcèlement: Résultas tirés de la British Crime Survey (enquête de criminalité britannique). In Jaspard, M. and Condon, S. (Eds.), Nommer et compter les violences envers les femmes en Europe. Enjeux scientifiques et politiques. (pp. 55–61). Institute de Démograpie Université.
  • Walby, S. (2006). Patriarchy. Sociology: The Key Concepts (pp. 121–123). ISBN 978-0-415-34405-0.
  • Walby, S. (2006). Patriarchy. In Scott, J. (Ed.), Sociology: The Key Concepts London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-34406-9.
  • Walby, S. (2006). Towards international standards for data collection and statistics on violence against women. Proceedings of the United Nation Economic Commission for Europe meeting on gender statistics, translated into Russian
  • Walby, S. (2006). Introduction to gender transformations. In Inglis, D. and Bone, J. (Eds.), Social stratification : critical concepts in sociology (pp. 1–21). Routledge. ISBN 0-415-36133-8.
  • Walby, S. (2006). Gender approaches to nations and nationalism. In Delanty, G. and Kumar, K. (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of nations and nationalism (pp. 118–128). Sage. ISBN 1-4129-0101-4.
  • Walby, S. (2005). Gender, nation and state in an era of globalisation. In Cox, K. (Ed.), Political geography Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-33210-1.
  • Walby, S. (2005). The sociology of gender. In Calhoun, C., Rojek, C. and Turner, B.S. (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Sociology (pp. 367–380). London: Sage. ISBN 0-7619-6821-0.
  • Walby, S. (2005). Nation, gender and state. In Booth, S. and Tolz, V. (Eds.), Nation and Gender in Contemporary Europe: Exploring the East-West Divide (pp. 10–23). Manchester: Manchester University Press. ISBN 0-7190-6856-8.
  • Walby, S. (2005). Political aspects, East and West: Gender, nation and other polities. In Tolz, V. and Booth, S. (Eds.), Nation and gender in contemporary Europe (pp. 10–23). Manchester University Press. ISBN 978-0-7190-6856-0.
  • Walby, S. (2005). Gender and work in Europe: rethinking concepts and theories. In Lepperhoff, J., Satilmis, A. and Scheele, A. (Eds.), Made in Europe : Geschlechterpolitische Beitr"age zur Qualit"at von Arbeit (pp. 18–34). Germany: Westf"alisches Dampfboot,. ISBN 3-89691-607-6.
  • Walby, S. (2004). Gender and Globalisation. Globalisation and its Effect on the Position of Women in Society Cambridge, MA, USA: Iranian Women’s Studies Foundation.
  • Walby, S. (2004). Policy strategies in a global era for gendered workplace equity. In Gottfried, H. and Reese, L.A. (Eds.), Equity in the Workplace: Gendering Workplace Policy Analysis (pp. 53–75). Lanham: Lexington Books. ISBN 0-7391-0688-0.
  • Walby, S. (2003). Patriarkatet som system och olika strukturer. In Bj ork, G. and Jónasdóttir, A.G. (Eds.), Teorier om patriarkatet (pp. 7–52). Orebro: Kvinnovetenskapligt forum, Univ. ISBN 978-91-7668-357-6.
  • Walby, S. (2002). ’Gender’ and ’Patriarchy’. In Outhwaite, W. and Bottmore, T. (Eds.), The Blackwell Dictionary of Modern Social Thought Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-22164-6.
  • Walby, S. (2002). From community to coalition: the politics of recognition as the handmaiden of the politics of redistribution. In Featherstone, M. and Lash, S. (Eds.), Recognition and Difference Sage. ISBN 0-7619-4987-9.
  • Walby, S. (2002). Reducing gendered violence: Defining, measuring and interpreting inter-personal violence and responses to it. Kön och våld I Norden. Rapport från en konferens I Køge, Danmark, 2001. (Gender and violence in the Nordic countries. Report from conference in Køge, Denmark 2001) Nordic Council of Ministers Tema Nord..
  • Walby, S. (2001). Gender, class and stratification: towards a new approach. In Jackson, S. and Scott, S. (Eds.), Gender (pp. 93–96). London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-20180-3.
  • Walby, S. (2001). Three issues: women in the labour market. In Wilson, J. (Ed.), Women in the new economy London: Smith Institute. ISBN 978-1-902488-32-5.
  • Walby, S. (2001). Sexuality. In Plummer, K. (Ed.), Sexualities: (pp. 60–79). London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-21272-4.
  • Walby, S. (2001). Feminist theory. In Smelser, N.J. and Baltes, P.B. (Eds.), International encyclopedia of the social & behavioural sciences Oxford: Elsevier Science. ISBN 978-0-08-043076-8.
  • Walby, S. and Myhill, A. (2001). Assessing and managing the risk of domestic violence. In Taylor-Browne, J. (Ed.), What Works in Reducing Domestic Violence? (pp. 309–335). London: Whiting and Birch. ISBN 1-86177-037-5.
  • Walby, S. (2001). Gender Mainstreaming in the European Employment Strategy: The British Case. In Behning, U. and Pascual, A.S. (Eds.), Gender Mainstreaming in the European Employment Strategy Brussels: European Trade Union Institute. ISBN 2-930143-73-8.
  • Walby, S. (2000). Globalisation, women and work: global contexts for policy options for gender equity. In Network, O.W.S.S., Economic, and Council, S.R. (Eds.), Women, diversity and democracy in trade unions (pp. 103–125). Oxford: Oxford Brookes University. ISBN 978-0-9535692-2-9.
  • Walby, S. (2000). The restructuring of the gendered political economy: transformations in women’s employment. In Cook, J., Roberts, J. and Waylen, G. (Eds.), Toward a gendered political economy (pp. 165–187). Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-312-23133-0.
  • Walby, S. (2000). Gender, globalisation, and democracy. (pp. 20–28).
  • Walby, S. (2000). Comparing Methodologies to Investigate Violence Against Women. Proceedings of the Council of Europe Seminar on ‘Men and Violence Against Women’ Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Walby, S. (1999). Introduction. In Walby, S. (Ed.), New agendas for women (pp. 1–16). Basingstoke: Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-333-74558-8.
  • Walby, S., Greenwell, J., Soothill, K. and MacKay, L. (1998). Nursing and new wave management. In University, O., Health, S.O. and Welfare, S. (Eds.), A systematic approach to nursing care (pp. 58–64). Open University.
  • Walby, S. (1998). Les figures emblematiques de l’emploi flexible. In Maurani, M. (Ed.), Les Novelles Frontiers de l’inegalite: Hommes et Femmes sur le Marche du Travail Paris: Editions La Decouverte. ISBN 978-2-7071-2891-1.
  • Walby, S. (1998). EU-Reguleringens betydning for ligestillingspolitikken. Kvindeliv I EU (pp. 3–18). Copenhagen: The Danish Centre for Information on Women and Gender.
  • Walby, S. (1997). Gender, class and stratification: towards a new approach. In Anthias, F. (Ed.), Sociological debates: Thinking About Social Divisions. London: Greenwich University Press. ISBN 978-1-874529-56-9.
  • Walby, S. (1996). The ’changing form’ or the ’declining significance’ of patriarchy? In Moghadam, V.M. (Ed.), Patriarchy and development (pp. 19–33). Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 978-0-19-829023-0.
  • Walby, S. (1994). Post-postmodernism: theorizing gender. In Giddens, A. (Ed.), The Polity reader in social theory (pp. 225–236). Polity Press. ISBN 978-0-7456-1206-5.
  • Walby, S. and Greenwell, J. (1994). Managing the NHS. In Clarke, J., Cochrane, A. and McLaughlin, E. (Eds.), Managing social policy (pp. 57–72). London: Sage. ISBN 978-0-8039-7769-3.
  • Walby, S. (1993). Neue theoretische Ansatze zur Untersuchung des Geschlechterverhaltnisses. In uhler, E.B., Meyer, H., Reichert, D. and Scheller, A. (Eds.), Ortssuche Zurich-Dortmund: eFeF-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-905493-51-1.
  • Walby, S. (1993). Gender. In Outhwaite, W. and Bottomore, T. (Eds.), The Blackwell Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Social Thought Blackwell: Oxford. ISBN 978-0-631-15262-0.
  • Walby, S., Kennedy, M., Lubelska, C. and Walsh, V. (1993). '"Backlash" in historical context'. Making Connections: Women’s Studies, Women’s Movements, Women’s Lives (pp. 79–89). London: Taylor and Francis. ISBN 978-0-7484-0098-0.
  • Walby, S. (1992). Post-postmodernism?: theorizing social complexity. In Barrett, M. and Phillips, A. (Eds.), Destabilizing Theory (pp. 31–52). Cambridge: Polity Press. ISBN 978-0-7456-0795-5.
  • Aaron, J. and Walby, S. (1991). Introduction: towards a feminist intellectual space. In Aaron, J. and Walby, S. (Eds.), Out of the margins Basingstoke: Falmer Press. ISBN 978-1-85000-969-6.
  • Walby, S. (1990). Women’s employment and the historical periodisation of patriarchy. In Corr, H. and Jamieson, L. (Eds.), Politics of everyday life (pp. 141–161). Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-333-49366-3.
  • Corr, H., Jamieson, L. and Walby, S. (1990). Women's employment and the historical periodisation of patriarchy. The Politics of Everyday Life: Continuity and Change in Work and the Family (pp. 141–161). London: Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-349-20705-3.
  • Bagguley, P., Mark-Lawson, J., Shapiro, D., Urry, J., Walby, S. and Warde, A. (1989). Restructuring Lancaster. In Cooke, P. (Ed.), Localities (pp. 129–165). London: Unwin Hyman. ISBN 978-0-04-445300-0.
  • Walby, S. (1989). The changing sexual division of labour and flexibility. In Wood, S. (Ed.), The Transformation of work? (pp. 127–140). London: Unwin Hyman. ISBN 978-0-415-07869-6.
  • Walby, S. (1988). Segregation in employment in social and economic theory. In Walby, S. (Ed.), Gender segregation at work (pp. 14–28). Milton Keynes: Open University Press. ISBN 978-0-335-15562-0.
  • Walby, S. (1988). Introduction to segregation in employment. In Walby, S. (Ed.), Gender segregation at work (pp. 1–13). Milton Keynes: Open University Press. ISBN 978-0-335-15562-0.
  • Walby, S. (1986). Social inequality: sociology’s central issue. In Burgess, R.G. (Ed.), Exploring society (pp. 46–59). London: Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-35489-0.
  • Walby, S. (1986). Gender, class and stratification: towards a new approach. In Crompton, R. and Mann, M. (Eds.), Gender and stratification (pp. 23–39). Polity Press. ISBN 978-0-7456-0168-7.
  • Walby, S. (1985). Approaches to the study of gender relations in unemployment and employment. In Roberts, B.R., Finnegan, R.H. and Gallie, D. (Eds.), New approaches to economic life (pp. 264–279). Manchester: Manchester University Press. ISBN 978-0-7190-1731-5.
  • Walby, S. (1983). Patriarchal structures: the case of unemployment. In Gamarnikow, E., Morgan, D.H.J., Purvis, J. and Taylorson, D.E. (Eds.), Gender, class and work (pp. 149–166). Aldershot: Gower. ISBN 978-0-566-05164-7.
  • Walby, S. (1983). Women’s unemployment, patriarchy and capitalism. In Sawyer, M.C. and Schott, K. (Eds.), Socialist economic review (pp. 99–114). Merlin Press.
  • The Discursive Politics of Gender Equality. In Routledge.
  • The Gendering of Inequalities: Women, Men and Work. In Routledge.

 Journal articles (99)

 Reports (33)

 Working Paper

 Other (3)

 

Research

 Projects & Research Activities

Violence, Health and Society

Start Date: 1 April 2020
End Date: 17 December 2020
Title: Violence, Health and Society
Total Amount: GDP 50,000
Funder: UK Prevention Research Partnership
Abstract: Violence causes harms to health, especially long-lasting harms to mental health. Mental health is significantly impacted by violence. These harms to mental health can be more long-lasting than the immediate harms to physical health. They have consequences that reverberate through a person's life impacting on their functioning in society, with still further consequences. Reducing such 'upstream' determinants of poor mental health would significantly improve the health of the population. Investigating the effectiveness of potential interventions to reduce exposure to violence is central to the proposal. Principle-Investigator: Co-applicant(s): Sally McManus, Louise Howard, Brian Francis, Elaine Arnull, Sian Oram, Leonie Tanczer, Stuart Kirby, Debra Salmon, Janet Bowstead, Les Humphreys

Study on the economic, social and human costs of trafficking

Start Date: 21 May 2019
End Date: 20 February 2020
Title: Study on the economic, social and human costs of trafficking
Total Amount: GBP 270,764,17
Funder: European Commission: Directorate-General Migration and Home Affairs
Abstract: Trafficking in human beings harms not only victims but society as a whole. This project will estimate the costs to society within the European Union Member States. All forms of trafficking of women, men and children will be addressed, whether for sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced begging or domestic servitude. The social costs accounted for are; specialised services; health services; law enforcement; lost economic output and intangibles (measured as quality adjusted life years). This establishes a rigorous evidence base and expands the theory on trafficking in human beings and society.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (City, University of London)
Research Team: Patricia Bell, Janet Bowstead, Gene Feder, Hilary Fisher, Stuart Kirby, Sally McManus, Stephen Morris, Sian Oram, Jessica Phoenix, Merili Pullerits
In collaboration with: Kings College London, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge and NatCen Social Research
Key Outputs: In process.

Violence, abuse and mental health: Opportunities for change

Start Date: 1 November 2018
End Date: 31 October 2022
Title: Violence, abuse and mental health: Opportunities for change
Total Amount: GBP 1,000,000
Funder: UK Research and Innovation, Economic and Social Research Council
Abstract: This large interdisciplinary research project’s main objective is to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems through addressing associated violence and abuse. The Violence and Society Centre is responsible for the measurement stream (GBP 65,000), which will mobilise a gender-sensitive framework for measuring violence against women and men.
Principle-Investigator: Louise Howard (King’s College London)
Co-applicant(s): Sylvia Walby (City, University of London), Jude Towers (Liverpool John Moores University), Ravinder Thiara (University of Warwick), Sian Oram (King's College London), Alana Harris (King's College London), George Danezis (University College London), Angela Sweeney (St George's University of London), Seena Fazel (University of Oxford), Rachel Hewitt (University of Oxford).
Key Outputs: In process.

Anneliese Maier Research Award

Start Date: 1 April 2018
End Date: 30 March 2023
Title: Anneliese Maier Research Award
Total Amount: EUR 250,000
Funder: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby
Abstract: Prof. Sylvia Walby was one of eight researchers selected for the prestigious Anneliese Maier Research Award in 2018, which is reserved for “outstanding humanities scholars and social scientists”. The prize money is to finance research collaboration with specialist colleagues in Germany over a five-year period. The programme of work is to re-work a theory of society that better takes account of violence and gender inequality. Specific contributions will be made to theorising society as a system, developing the conceptual distinctions between varieties of gender regimes, analysing the trafficking in human beings, and the theorisation of the relationship of violence and society.
Key Outputs: In process.

Study on the data analysis of trafficking in human beings

Start Date: 11 June 2016
End Date: 10 October 2018
Title: Study on the data analysis of trafficking in human beings
Total Amount: EUR 100,000
Funder: European Commission
Abstract: This project analyses and reports on recent data collected on human trafficking by the European Commission. Covering both victims and trafficking perpetrators, it discusses gender, age and form of trafficking, as well as the source and recruiting country for victims. Perpetrator data discussed includes prosecutions and convictions. The project also reports on the robustness of Commission data, and what can and cannot be gleaned from the data. It updates earlier Commission reports published by Eurostat.
Principle-Investigator: Brian Francis (University of Lancaster)
Co-applicant(s): Sylvia Walby, Becky Pattinson, Amy Elliott, Valmira Hoti, Jessica Phoenix, Rachel Verrall, Moira Peelo (at time of study, all at Lancaster).
Key Outputs:
Francis, B., et al. (2018). Data collection on trafficking in human beings in the EU: Final report. Brussels: European Commission. ISBN 978-92-79-96706-1 DOI:10.2837/193237

Comprehensive policy review of anti-trafficking projects

Start Date: 1 January 2016
End Date: 30 September 2016
Title: Comprehensive policy review of anti-trafficking projects
Total Amount: EUR 350,000
Funder: European Commission
Abstract: The European Union has a Strategy to eradicate trafficking in human beings to support the implementation of the 2011 Anti-Trafficking Directive. This project contributed to the development of the post-2016 Strategy by comprehensively reviewing all the projects funded by the European Commission since 2004 that concern anti-trafficking for the office of the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. The study analysed around 300 projects in the context of relevant EU Actions and wider bodies of knowledge.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Co-applicant(s): Jude Towers (Lancaster, Sociology), Brian Francis (Lancaster, Maths/Stats), Birgit Apitzsch (Duisberg-Essen, Sociology), Jo Armstrong (Lancaster, Sociology), Susie Balderston (Lancaster, Sociology), Adam Fish (Lancaster, Sociology), Claire Hardaker (Lancaster, Linguistics), Liz Kelly (London Met, CWASU), Stuart Kirby (UCLAN), Corinne May-Chahal (Lancaster, Sociology), Emma Palmer (Lancaster, Sociology), Awais Rashid (Lancaster, Computing), Karen Shire (Duisberg-Essen, Sociology), Jackie Taylor (London Met, CWASU).
Key Outputs: Walby, S., et al. (2016). Comprehensive Policy Review of Anti-Trafficking Projects funded by the European Commission. Brussels: European Commission. ISBN 978-92-79-61960-1 doi:10.2837/973893

The gender dimension of trafficking in human beings

Start Date: 31 December 2014
End Date: 30 September 2015
Title: The gender dimension of trafficking in human beings
Total Amount: EUR 250,000
Funder: European Commission
Abstract: This project focused on the gender dimension of trafficking in human beings. The study concluded with recommendations to the EU and Member States regarding how to better implement the EU Directive and Strategy on Trafficking by paying greater attention to its gender dimensions in relation to: services for victims; EU Home Affairs and Justice Agency practices; reducing the demand for the services of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation; the system of data collection; and, policy coherence and coordination by implementing EU gender equality policies in EU Strategies. Sylvia Walby delivered the keynote address at the Ninth EU Anti-Trafficking Day (Brussels, October 2015). The report was published on 21 March 2016 and launched in the European Parliament, in Brussels.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Co-applicant(s): Birgit Apitzsch (Duisberg-Essen, Sociology), Jo Armstrong (Lancaster, Sociology), Susie Balderston (Lancaster, Sociology), Karolina Follis (Lancaster, Philosophy, Politics and Religious Studies), Brian Francis (Lancaster, Maths/Stats), Liz Kelly (London Met, CWASU), Corinne May-Chahal (Lancaster, Sociology), Awais Rashid (Lancaster, Computing), Karen Shire (Duisberg-Essen, Sociology), Jude Towers (Lancaster, Sociology), Markus Tünte (Duisberg-Essen, Sociology).
Key Outputs:
Walby, S., et al. (2016). Gender Dimension of Trafficking in Human Beings. Brussels: European Commission, Anti-Trafficking Coordinators Office. ISBN 978-92-79-54063-9 doi:10.2837/462884

Guidelines for Member States on how to comply with Istanbul Convention Article 11 on data collection

Start Date: 1 October 2014
End Date: 30 June 2018
Title: Guidelines for Member States on how to comply with Istanbul Convention Article 11 on data collection
Total Amount: EUR 10,000
Funder: The Council of Europe
Abstract: The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence was signed in Istanbul in 2011 and came into force in 2015. In order to comply with Article 11 of the Convention, the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe need to collect data and conduct research on this violence. The Council of Europe funded this report in order to support Member States by providing practical guidance on: the collection of data from administrative and survey sources; the development of research programmes; and, the measurement framework needed to benchmark progress internationally.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Key Outputs:
Walby, S. (2016). Ensuring data collection and research on violence against women and domestic violence – Article 11 of the Istanbul Convention. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
Walby, S., et al. (2017). The Concept and Measurement of Violence against Women and Men. Bristol: Policy Press.

Towards a Directive on violence against women: Analysis of its legal grounds and the cost of violence against women

Start Date: 1 December 2013
End Date: 31 December 2014
Title: Towards a Directive on violence against women: Analysis of its legal grounds and the cost of violence against women
Total Amount: EUR 14,500
Funder: European Parliament, European Value Added Unit
Abstract: This study investigated aspects of the basis for a possible Directive of the EU on Violence Against Women. Building on previous work on costing gender-based violence, the study found that the cost of inaction was considerably greater than the cost of action. It considers the extent to which the Treaties confer on the European Union the legal competence to develop a Directive on Violence against Women, concluding that there is scope for a directive.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Researcher: Philippa Olive (Lancaster, Sociology)
Key Outputs:
Walby, Sylvia and Philippa Olive (2013). The European Added Value of a Directive on Combatting Violence Against Women: Annex 2 Economic Aspects and Legal Perspectives for Action at the European Level. Brussels: European Value Added Unit.

Is the rate of domestic violence increasing or decreasing? A re-analysis of the British Crime Survey

Start Date: 1 April 2013
End Date: 30 September 2014
Title: Is the rate of domestic violence increasing or decreasing? A re-analysis of the British Crime Survey
Total Amount: GBP 199,000
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council
Abstract: This project re-analysed data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. The results show that, during the economic crisis, there was an increase in violent crime, reversing the long-run fall. The increase is driven by violence against women committed by domestic relations. The increase is made visible by removing the arbitrary maximum cap of five crimes traditionally imposed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on the number of incidents reported to the survey included in published statistics, while attending to volatility by using three-year moving averages.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Co-applicant(s): Brian Francis (Lancaster, Maths/Stats)
Researcher: Jude Towers (Lancaster, Sociology)
Key Outputs:
Walby, Sylvia, Jude Towers, and Brian Francis (2016). ‘Is violent crime increasing or decreasing? A new methodology to measure repeat attacks making visible the significance of gender and domestic relations’, British Journal of Criminology, 56(6): 1203-1234.

Estimating the costs of gender-based violence in the European Union

Start Date: 1 January 2013
End Date: 1 January 2014
Title: Estimating the costs of gender-based violence in the European Union
Total Amount: EURO 58,000
Funder: European Institute for Gender Equality
Abstract: This projected reviewed developments in methodologies for estimating the costs of gender-based violence in order to identify best practice and estimated the costs of gender-based violence within the EU. The project found that gender-based violence costs the EU28 €259 billion each year. This is due to lost economic output because of injuries, the use of public services (e.g. health, criminal justice), and the public’s valuation of the physical and emotional impacts.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Researcher: Philippa Olive (Lancaster, Sociology)
Key Outputs:
Walby, Sylvia and Philippa Olive (2014). Estimating the Costs of Gender-Based Violence in the European Union. Vilnius, Lithuania: European Institute for Gender Equality. ISBN 978-92-9218-499-5 Doi:10.2839/79629

Overview of the worldwide best practices for rape prevention and for assisting women victims of rape

Start Date: 1 January 2012
End Date: 1 January 2013
Title: Overview of the worldwide best practices for rape prevention and for assisting women victims of rape
Total Amount: EUR 68,500
Funder: European Parliament
Abstract: This study reviewed worldwide best policies and practices on the prevention of rape and assistance to victims of rape in order to produce recommendations for the development of a European Union policy. The study addressed strategy, planning and coordination; victim services and healthcare systems; law and the criminal justice system; issues in conflict zones; culture, media and education; the economy; and, issues in the theorisation of prevention. The research was conducted following the award of ‘preferred bidder status’ following a competitive tender in 2011 by the European Parliament for the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) Committee.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Co-applicant(s): Philippa Olive (Lancaster, Sociology), Jude Towers (Lancaster, Sociology), Brian Francis (Lancaster, Maths/Stats), Sofia Strid (Örebro University, Gender Studies), Andrea Krizsán (Central European University, Policy Studies), Emanuela Lombardo (Madrid Complutense University, Political Science), Corinne May-Chahal (Lancaster, Sociology), Suzanne Franzway (University of South Australia, Sociology and Gender Studies), David Sugarman (Lancaster, Law), and Bina Agarwal (University of Manchester, Development; and Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi).
Key Outputs:
Walby, S., et al. (2015). Stopping Rape: Towards a Comprehensive Policy. Bristol: Policy Press.
Walby, S., et al. (2013). Overview of the worldwide best practices for rape prevention and for assisting women victims of rape. Brussels: European Parliament. ISBN 978-92-823-4865-9. DOI: 10.2861/37950.

Measuring the impact of cuts in public expenditure on the provision of services to prevent violence against women

Start Date: 1 January 2011
End Date: 31 December 2011
Title: Measuring the impact of cuts in public expenditure on the provision of services to prevent violence against women
Total Amount: GBP 3,000
Funders: Trust for London and Northern Rock Foundation
Abstract: This study investigated the impact of cuts in public expenditure in 2010 on the provision of domestic and sexual violence services by Local Authorities. Information about service provision was collected from the specialised service providers. The analysis showed that routine funding from Local Authorities to specialised Third Sector service providers declined following the cuts, especially to smaller providers, even though some smaller specialised national funding streams increased or fluctuated.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Researcher: Jude Towers (Lancaster, Sociology)
Key Outputs: Towers, Jude and Walby, Sylvia (2012). Measuring the impact of cuts in public expenditure on the provision of services to prevent violence against women. Trust for London/Northern Rock Foundation. ISBN 978-1-901373-70-3.

Measuring equality and violence in the UK: Physical and legal security and the criminal justice system

Start Date: 1 January 2009
End Date: 31 December 2009
Title: Measuring equality and violence in the UK: Physical and legal security and the criminal justice system
Total Amount: GBP 30,000
Funder: UK Equality and Human Rights Commission
Abstract: This is one of two studies contributing to the development of the measurement framework of the UK’s statutory Triennial Review of Equalities, developed by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). This study focused on physical and legal security.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Researchers: Jo Armstrong (Lancaster, Sociology), Sofia Strid (Lancaster, Sociology)
Key Outputs:
Walby, Sylvia, Jo Armstrong, and Sofia Strid (2012). ‘Developing measures of multiple forms of sexual violence and their contested treatment in the criminal justice system’ in Sandra L. Walklate and Jennifer Brown (eds.) Handbook on Sexual Violence. London: Willan. pp. 90-114.
Walby, Sylvia, Jo Armstrong, and Sofia Strid (2010). Physical and Legal Security and the Criminal Justice System: A Review of Inequalities. Manchester: Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Measuring equality and violence in the UK: Review of equality statistics

Start Date: 1 January 2008
End Date: 31 December 2008
Title: Measuring equality and violence in the UK: Review of equality statistics
Total Amount: GBP 42,000
Funder: UK Equality and Human Rights Commission
Abstract: This is one of two studies contributing to the development of the measurement framework of the UK’s statutory Triennial Review of Equalities, developed by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). This study mapped over 200 existing equality statistics.
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Lancaster)
Co-applicant(s): Jo Armstrong (Lancaster, Sociology), Les Humphreys (Lancaster, Law)
Key Outputs:
Walby, Sylvia, Jo Armstrong, and Les Humphreys (2018). Review of Equality Statistics. Research Report: 1. Manchester: Equality and Human Rights Commission. ISBN: 978 1 84206 074 2.
Walby, Sylvia and Jo Armstrong (2010). ‘Measuring equality: Data and indicators in Britain’, International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 13 (3): 237-249. Reprinted in C. Hughes and R. Cohen (eds.) (2010). Feminism Counts: Quantitative Methods and Researching Gender. Oxford: Routledge.

Gender and citizenship in a multicultural context: Quality in gender equality policies

Start Date: 1 January 2006
End Date: 31 December 2011
Title: Gender and citizenship in a multicultural context: Quality in gender equality policies (Quing)
Total Amount: EUR 4.7 million
Funder: European Commission Framework 6
Abstract: This large European project analysed the quality of gender equality policies in the European Union when meeting the challenges of intersectionality. Policies on gender-based violence were one of the areas of focus, addressing, in particular, the ‘Crenshaw dilemma’ concerning visibility where there are intersecting inequalities. The study encompassed all EU Member States as well as the EU-level, with researchers for each country. The outputs were both theoretical and practical. Prof. Walby was Principle Investigator of the Lancaster Team, and was responsible for focusing on intersectionality and gender equality policies including gender-based violence (EUR 634,000).
Quing Principle-Investigator and Scientific Director: Mieke Verloo (Radboud University, Political Science)
Lancaster Team
Principle-Investigator for Lancaster: Sylvia Walby (Sociology)
Researchers: Jo Armstrong (Sociology), Sofia Strid (Sociology)
Key Outputs:
Walby, Sylvia and Mieke Verloo (eds.) (2012). ‘Intersectionality and the equality architecture in Europe’, Social Politics, 19(4): 433-620.

Estimating the economic and social costs of domestic violence against women

Start date: 1 January 2002
End Date: 31 December 2004
Title: Estimating the economic and social costs of domestic violence against women
Total Amount: GBP 56,000
Funder: Department for Trade and Industry, Women and Equality Unit
Abstract: This study estimated the costs of domestic violence by drawing upon a range of data sources, including the British Crime Survey. The study found that domestic violence costs the UK £23 billion a year. The findings and methodology have been used by the Home Office, other government departments, local government and non-governmental providers of services to estimate the cost of domestic violence (and gender-based violence more generally) and contributed to decision-making over service provision. The methods have been adapted for use in other countries, including New Zealand and Canada, disseminated by the UN (e.g. UN Women in 2011).
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Leeds)
Key Outputs:
Walby, S. (2004). The Cost of Domestic Violence. London: Department of Trade and Industry Women and Equality Unit.

Developing the British Crime Survey to measure domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking

Start Date: 1 January 2000
End Date: 1 January 2003
Title: Developing the British Crime Survey (now Crime Survey for England and Wales) to measure domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking
Total Amount: GBP 10,500
Funder: Home Office
Abstract: This consultancy project led to the design of an innovative self-completion module on domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking for the British Crime Survey. This followed a review, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, of the new wave of national surveys of violence against women. Following the publication of the findings, Prof. Walby was consulted on the development of further population surveys by the Irish National Crime Council, the German Federal Ministry for Family, Women, Seniors and Youth, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Principle-Investigator: Sylvia Walby (University of Leeds)
Researchers: Andy Myhill, Jonathan Allen (Home Office)
Key Outputs:
Walby, S. and Allen, J. (2004). Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office Research Study 276. London: Home Office.

Sylvia Walby's activities at the EKfG

Public Talk Theorizing Violence and Gender

15.04.2024, 16:30-18:00

Casino im Gästehaus des Studierendenwerks
Campus Essen

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©Bristol University Press

Book Launch Trafficking Chains. Modern Slavery in Society by Sylvia Walby and Karen Shire

17.04.2024, 16:30-18:00

Campus Duisburg, LS 105

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Recording: 'The future of gender regimes' edited by Heidi Gottfried, Sylvia Walby & Karen Shire - Special issue launch

Following the workshop Gender Regimes 2 supported by the Anneliese Maier Research Award to Prof. Sylvia Walby OBE in Berlin in April 2022, a special issue on the future of gender regimes - edited by Heidi Gottfried, Sylvia Walby and Karen Shire was published in the Women's Studies International Forum. To launch the special issue, the editors organised a webinar on 15 September 2023, 14.00-15.30 BST. Funded by the Humboldt Foundation Anneliese Maier Research Award to Prof. Sylvia Walby OBE, the organisation of the event was supported by the Essen College for Gender Research (EKfG) at the University of Duisburg-Essen. The event was also sponsored by Royal Holloway, University of London.

Recording of the Violence and Society Symposium with ISA Presidents on 15 November 2022

The International Sociological Association TG11 Violence and Society held a virtual Violence and Society Symposium on November 15, 2022.

The speakers were the current and recent ISA Presidents who have each addressed violence and society in their research: Sari Hanafi, Margaret Abraham, and Michel Wievorka.

Building on this confluence of interests, with its significance for sociology as an international discipline and the contemporary world, TG11 was hosting this event. It brought together their expertise in response to interest across sociologists globally to hear each present their research on this topic and discuss the issues involved. Their presentations were followed by questions to each other, and then by open Q&A. This event will continue to generate international dialogue on violence and society. TG11 is the newest of the International Sociological Association's Thematic Groups.

17.07.2022 | Joint Workshop at GHI London Violence against Women: Historical and Comparative Perspectives

The conference, organized by Christina von Hodenberg and Jane Freeland (GHIL), Sylvia Walby and Karen Shire, explored the relations between gender regimes and gendered violence. It took place on 14-16 July, 2022 as a joint Workshop of the Humboldt Foundation Anneliese Maier Award and the German Historical Institute London (GHIL).

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© UDE

30.06.2022 | Conference report published Feminist and Social Theory in Times of Crisis – Master Class with Sylvia Walby

Centering around the theoretical approach of Anneliese‐Maier‐Research Awardee Prof. Sylvia Walby OBE, the EKfG and the Koordinations‐ und Forschungsstelle des Netzwerks Frauen‐ und Geschlechterforschung NRW organized a Master Class on „Feminist and Social Theory in Times of Crisis“ in Essen on April 19th, 2022.

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© EKfG

05.05.2022 | Anneliese Maier Research Award Gender Regimes Workshop 2

The second annual workshop on gender regimes, supported by the Humboldt Foundation Anneliese Maier Research Award to Prof. Sylvia Walby OBE, was held at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on 20-23 April 2022.  A group of 22 international scholars from the U.S., UK, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany discussed trajectories of changes in gender regimes.

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02.03.2022 | Global Dialogue Magazine: Issue 12.1 - April 2022 Varieties of Gender Regimes

Set of new papers published including articles by Sylvia Walby and Karen Shire.

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zeitschriften_magazines

03.09.2020 | Social Politics Journal: Volume 27, Issue 3, Fall 2020 Varieties of Gender Regimes - New Publication by Sylvia Walby and Karen Shire

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Workshop J. Hendricks, S. Sera, S. Walby, E. Wegrzyn, J. Wittmann
© EKfG

09.05.2019 | EKfG-Nachwuchsforum Workshop with the Anneliese Maier Research Awardee Professor Sylvia Walby

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07.06.2019 | Workshop with Professor Sylvia Walby at City, University of London How is gender inequality changing in the world?

The first workshop by Anneliese Maier Research Award winner Professor Sylvia Walby in cooperation with the Essen College for Gender Studies on 07.06.2019 at the City, University of London.

► Programme
► CV Prof. Sylvia Walby

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Auf dem Foto ist Prof. Sylvia Walby zu sehen
© Lancaster University

03.04.2018 | EKfG Host Institute for International Award Winner Anneliese Maier Research Award for Prof. Sylvia Walby

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