REsearching Legal Implementation of an Intersectional Framework: a feminist sociolegal analysis of opportunities and obstacles

RELIEF (REsearching Legal Implementation of an Intersectional Framework: a feminist sociolegal analysis of opportunities and obstacles) explores the implementation of intersectionality as an anti-discrimination framework in legislation, legal praxis and public policies with an interdisciplinary feminist approach. Intersectionality originates as a legal critique to understand how gender intersects with other axes of discrimination (sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, and socioeconomic status) and RELIEF aims to investigate how legal implementation of intersectionality can address a more diverse and complex understanding of discrimination from a law-in-action perspective. This project will enhance my sociolegal research skills on gender equality and anti-discrimination within the EU multilevel legal framework under the supervision of Dr. La Barbera at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and in affiliation with the Gender and Politics (GEYPO) research group. At the same time RELIEF will contribute to feminist theory building by investigating how public institutions can effectively implement an intersectional framework. To achieve this goal, RELIEF conducts a sociolegal analysis of Spain’s anti-discrimination law, focusing on institutional actors, academic experts and civil society, combining legal analysis, qualitative and participatory methodologies. With a feminist participatory approach RELIEF directly engages stakeholders, connecting the scientific goals with the wider expected social impact and bridging the gap between sociolegal research, legal implementation and activism. RELIEF’s empirical evidence enriches the theoretical debate on the institutionalisation of intersectionality, co-produces transformative knowledge and provides recommendations for public institutions and civil society to address multifaceted discrimination, reduce inequalities, strengthen human rights and empower marginalised communities and individuals.