Book Launch: "Selfish Women" by Prof Lisa Downing

GENDER.ED and the Gender Politics Research Group are delighted to host the Edinburgh launch of Professor Lisa Downing (University of Birmingham)'s latest book.

What is "Selfish Women" about? (Press release)

Lisa Downing's new book Selfish Women sets out to examine this problem. First, she considers the words and works of some of the most prominent women of modern times who have espoused politics and philosophies of selfishness, including Russian-American “prophet of capitalism”, Ayn Rand, and the UK’s first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, as well as a range of authors and fictional characters who embody facets of female selfishness. While these controversial figures are generally seen as enemies of feminism, Downing examines whether feminists – and women in general – might do well to examine the idea of self-interest in order to move beyond the simplistic notion that collectivism is a good that always works for women, while individualism is an evil.

This book is an essential read for those with interests in cultural theory, feminist theory, and gender politics.

Lisa Downing is Professor of French Discourses of Sexuality at the University of Birmingham, UK.

The event begins at 16:00 with an introduction by Dr Meryl Kenny; tea, coffee, and cake will be provided. There will be an opportunity to buy a copy of the book, thanks to a book stall run by Lighthouse Bookshop.

Accessibility: This event will take place on the first floor of Chrystal Macmillan Building, which is reachable via lift from the ground floor. There are gender-neutral, accessible toilets near the lifts at either end of the first floor. The room is not equipped with a hearing loop. If you have further questions about access please don't hesitate to email gender.ed@ed.ac.uk

Register for tickets here.