Rate Professor Raewyn Connell

Professional Summary: Professor Raewyn Connell

Professor Raewyn Connell is a globally recognized sociologist and a Professor Emerita at the University of Sydney, Australia. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, she is celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to gender studies, social theory, and the sociology of education. Her work has profoundly influenced academic discourse on masculinity, power structures, and social justice.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Connell holds the following academic qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History, University of Melbourne, Australia (1966)
• PhD in Sociology, University of Sydney, Australia (1975)

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Raewyn Connell’s research focuses on:

• Gender studies, particularly the concept of hegemonic masculinity
• Social theory and power dynamics
• Sociology of education and class structures
• Globalization and postcolonial perspectives on gender and power
• Intellectual labor and the role of knowledge in society

Career History and Appointments

Professor Connell has held numerous prestigious positions throughout her career:

• Professor Emerita, University of Sydney (2004–present)
• University Chair, University of Sydney (1996–2004)
• Professor of Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz (1990–1995)
• Professor of Sociology, Macquarie University, Australia (1976–1991)

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Raewyn Connell’s contributions to sociology and gender studies have been widely recognized:

• Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (1997)
• Jessie Bernard Award for Feminist Scholarship, American Sociological Association (2007)
• Award for Distinguished Contribution to Sociology, Australian Sociological Association (2010)

Key Publications

Professor Connell has authored and co-authored numerous influential works. A selection of her key publications includes:

• Masculinities (1995, 2nd edition 2005) – A seminal work on the social construction of masculinity
• Gender and Power: Society, the Person and Sexual Politics (1987) – A foundational text in gender studies
• Making the Difference: Schools, Families and Social Division (1982, co-authored) – Exploring education and inequality
• Southern Theory: The Global Dynamics of Knowledge in Social Science (2007) – Examining global inequalities in knowledge production
• Gender: In World Perspective (2002, 4th edition 2021, co-authored with Rebecca Pearse) – A widely used textbook on gender studies

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Raewyn Connell’s concept of hegemonic masculinity has become a cornerstone of gender studies, shaping research and policy discussions on gender roles and power dynamics worldwide. Her work in Southern Theory has challenged Eurocentric biases in social science, advocating for the inclusion of perspectives from the Global South. Her scholarship has inspired generations of researchers and activists to address systemic inequalities in gender, education, and global knowledge production.

Public Lectures, Roles in Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Connell is an active public intellectual and has contributed to academia beyond research:

• Delivered numerous keynote addresses and public lectures on gender, power, and social theory globally
• Served on editorial boards of leading journals, including Theory and Society and International Journal of Inclusive Education
• Contributed to policy discussions on education and gender equity in Australia and internationally