WiD Bibliography

WiD Bibliography covers theories including: Intersectionality, Critical Race, Queer, Class, Feminism, Posthumanism, Cyberfeminism, Critical Indigenous, and National Identity. It offers expanded bibliographies for Feminist and Queer Theory, suggesting texts that tackle how and why they engage with design.

This report consists of three parts. (1) Introduction: a disclaimer to our work and its limits. (2) A discussion on the relationship between identity theories and the dimensions of identity they aim to elucidate, contest, and contextualize. (3) A bibliography of briefly annotated articles or chapters, organized by the identity topics listed above. We select a few short texts which contextualize the making of each theory, rather than canonical texts by the most prominent authors. These selected texts serve as a reference point to guide exploration of each theory with reference to its historically situated context. Further readings can always be found by reviewing the works cited list of each framework text.

To continue with this work, we felt there was space to advocate for more expansive articulations of how these theories can manifest outside of the academy. Inspired by our virtual year of learning, the 2021 Bib Online was born, creating a digital space in which these expanded conversations can begin.

The first strategy of this expansion involves recognizing and sharing examples of praxis in which these personal identity theories become organizing forces in creative work. Community activism, political dissent, and acknowledgment of historical violence are some of the ways in which these theories are directly engaged through design projects and practices. Secondly, the 2021 Bib Online seeks to expand access through sharing other forms of media beyond written academic texts. This media includes work that is more publicly accessible, such as documentaries, podcasts, interviews, public lectures, and web content, providing a greater context for these theories, their implications, and interactions.

The Online Bib is an ongoing project, acting as both an archive of this unique year and serving as a new medium for expanding contemporary definitions of a Bibliography. We invite discussion, feedback, and future collaboration on these topics. Next semester we hope to continue the growth of this project; please contact Womxn in Design if you are interested in joining the editorial team.

Digital pdf editions are available for purchase by emailing [email protected].