About the lecture

In this module, we look at digital feminism in more detail. In particular, we will focus on: (i) how digital feminism refers to feminist activism in the digital sphere, primarily on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok; (ii) how, while backlash against feminism exists, there is a positive impact of digital feminist activism; (iii) how research indicates that social media platforms allow feminists to reach wide audiences, challenge common views, and raise awareness; (iv) how digital feminism, such as the Me Too movement, has led to tangible effects, shifting debates on identity, inequality, violence, and more; (v) the Pitfalls of digital feminism, including access issues related to age and class; (vi) how activists engage in various activities on platforms, involving emotional labor, self-branding, and self-promotion; (vii) how activists seek visibility, similar to influencers, to change views and behaviour, leading to economic benefits from activism; (viii) how the context of social media shapes activism, impacting its form and reach, potentially benefiting marginalised communities but also excluding others; and (ix) how social media platforms are not neutral and influence the nature and impact of digital feminist activism.

About the lecturer

Dr Christina Scharff is a reader in Gender, media and culture at King’s College London. She specialises in exploring gender, media and culture from an international perspective, through theoretically informed empirical research, and collaboration with colleagues and students. With this in mind, she has published widely, including Digital Feminisms: Transnational Activism in German Protest Cultures and Gender, Subjectivity, and Cultural Work: The classical music profession.