Does knowledge production contribute to the development of gender equality activism? What knowledge about women’s problems in labour, housework, and health was created by women experts in post-war Central and Eastern Europe? How did their research uncover existing gender inequalities and stereotypes about women’s roles? Which solutions did female experts propose to improve the situation of women in society? Did the knowledge they created prompt them to participate in the public debate on women’s issues? How did the knowledge circulate among female experts from different countries, both East and West? And last but not least: Who were these women who devoted their research careers to women’s issues?

We seek answers to these questions by conducting historical research on the biographies and expertise of selected female experts in three communist countries of East Central Europe: Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary during the second half of the 20th century. We are interested in female experts whose research has addressed issues affecting women at work, such as wage inequality, discrimination in managerial positions and the unpaid household labour. We also consider issues relating to women’s health, marriage and family life. Our research explores different fields of expertise, such as medicine, sociology, psychology, and law.

By comparatively analysing a wide array of historical sources and using the repertoire of sociology of expertise and a biographical approach, the project will identify women scientists and experts with advanced knowledge about women-related issues and explore their engagement in scientific and advocacy networks.

Our research offers new insights into the history of feminism in post-war Central and Eastern Europe emphasizing the role of women experts in shaping gender equality discourse. The project will contribute significantly to our understanding of the role of women in science in post-war East Central Europe. In contrast to Western countries, this topic is still understudied. The project will result in scientific articles and an online dictionary of female experts, with entries available in English and national languages.