The EU Center and International and Area Studies Library at the University of Illinois are very pleased to open a virtual book exhibit on populism and gender in comparative perspective, accompanied by a physical exhibit in the University Main Library's North-South Corridor. The occasion is the conclusion of the EU Center’s 2018-21 Jean Monnet Center of Excellence grant from the European Commission for the project, “Re-Imagining Identities and Institutions for a Stronger Europe.” The physical exhibit will be available until March 31, 2022.
The JMCE grant took particular interest in the topic of populism and gender in contemporary Europe. As the EU Center and key faculty on the grant proceeded with the project, the importance of studying this topic with a wider comparative lens became inescapable. Center staff were also struck by the potential importance of bringing the U of I’s incredible libraries into the project to enhance outreach to students, faculty, and other members of the public and EU Center community.
Ordinarily, a book exhibit hosted by the U of I libraries has been with physical books in a display case. In consultation with EU Center’s lead for collections in European Union Studies, Dr. Paula Carns, the center decided to organize a virtual exhibit, to be accompanied in February 2022 by a traditional exhibit. This virtual exhibit features 5 or 6 main themes with 5-6 books representing each theme, as well as a few introductory texts found on this page. At the time of opening, most of the themes are introduced by an essay from either someone from the U of I community or an outside scholar with relevant expertise.
The EU Center would like to thank Dr. Paula Carns, Elizabeth Wheeles, and Mary Lawrence for their work in building this virtual exhibit. Funds to support this project were generously provided by the EU Center’s Jean Monnet Center of Excellence grant and its US Department of Education Title VI grant. Visitors to this exhibit are also encouraged to check out our collection of topical guides related to EU Studies.