Conclusion: setting the agenda for challenging gender based violence in universities

This concluding chapter consolidates some of the book’s key themes, such as the analysis of gender based violence (GBV) in university settings as part of the continuum of violence that includes sexual violence and sexual harassment; a gendered understanding of and approach to GBV in universities; and student activism to challenge GBV. It also discusses a jigsaw of responses to tackle GBV, including curriculum-based initiatives such as bystander programmes; the roles of various actors, such as academics, students and feminist communities — in collaboration and as collectives — in this jigsaw of strategies; and gaps and possibilities in current research and practice. Finally, the chapter considers the future directions of activism, policy, practice and research on the issue of GBV in university communities and offers some suggestions about the nature of activism and action that can address this problem as well as the role that academic research can play in this process.