To encourage a new generation of feminist scholars, the FSA sponsors an annual student essay competition for work which is innovative, interdisciplinary and grounded in feminist theory and practice. After an initial shortlisting process, the top seven entries will be judged by our judging panel to determine the winner. All shortlisted entries will be published in the Journal of International Women’s Studies, and the winner will also receive a year’s free FSA membership.
Students at any stage of their studies at a British or Irish university or recent graduates from British or Irish universities are encouraged to submit entries. To be eligible, entries must have been submitted as student work at a British or Irish university, must not have been previously published, must not be currently under consideration for publication, or must not have been entered into other competitions which may result in publication elsewhere. Essays should be 6,000-7,000 words (including footnotes and bibliography). Entries must be submitted electronically via email, include a completed competition coversheet, and adhere to the submission instructions below.
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances the student essay prize did not run in 2021/22, we would encourage anyone who submitted previously to submit to this round of the essay prize
Previous essay prize winners and shortlisted entries:
- Volume 22, Issue 2 (2021) The Post Pandemic University, Possibilities, Practices and Pedagogies: And New Writings in Feminist and Women’s Studies—Winning and Short-listed Entries from the 2020 Feminist Studies Association’s (FSA) Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 21, Issue 3 (2020) Feminist Comforts and Considerations amidst a Global Pandemic: New Writings in Feminist and Women’s Studies—Winning and Short-listed Entries from the 2019 Feminist Studies Association’s (FSA) Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 20, Issue 4 (2019) New Writings in Feminist and Women’s Studies Winning and Short-listed Entries from the 2018 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association’s (FWSA) Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 19, Issue 1 (2018) New Writings in Feminist Studies: Winning and Shortlisted Entries from the 2017 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association’s Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 18, Issue 3 (2017) New Writings in Feminist Studies: Winning and Shortlisted Entries from the 2016 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association’s Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 17, Issue 2 (2016) New Writings in Feminist Studies: Winning and Shortlisted Entries from the 2015 FWSA Student Essay Competition
- Volume 16, Issue 1 (2014) The 10th Anniversary of the FWSA Essay Competition: New Directions in Feminist Studies – Emotions, Activisms, Intersectionality
- Volume 14, Issue 4 (2013) New Writings in Feminist and Women’s Studies: Winning and Short-listed Entries from the 2012 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association’s Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 13, Issue 2 (2012) Winning and Short-listed Entries from the 2010 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 12, Issue 2 (2011) Winning and Short-listed Entries from the 2009 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 11, Issue 3 (2009) Winning and Short-listed Entries from the 2007 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 10, Issue 3 (2009) Feminist and Woman’s Studies Association Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 9, Issue 2 (2008) Politics, Sexualities, and New Feminist Scholarship: Winning and short-listed entries for the 2006 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association Annual Student Essay Competition
- Volume 8, Issue 2 (2007) Identity, Difference and New Feminisms: Winning and Short-listed entries for the 2005 Feminist and Women’s Studies Association, U.K. Annual Essay Competition
- Volume 7, Issue 3 (2006) New British Feminist Scholarship and Contemporary Politics: Prizewinning and Short-listed Essays from the Feminist and Women’s Studies Association (UK and Ireland) Essay Competition
- Volume 6, Issue 3 (2005) Winning and Short-listed Essays from the Second Annual Essay Competition of the Feminist and Women’s Studies Association (UK and Ireland) (FWSA)
- Volume 5, Issue 2 (2004) New Writings in Women’s Studies: Selected Essays from the First Women’s Studies Network (U.K.) Association Essay Contest
How to apply:
The 2022/2023 student essay competition is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted an entry, the results will be announced shortly.