Women studies and feminist research started out as a provocation against entrenched scientific tradition and has since become instrumental for its renewal. These changes are reflected in the composition of the academic staff. Feminist researchers engaged in the academic and political discourse about gender equity in science and society placed great value on co-operation and solidarity. Nevertheless, competition, rivalry for positions, and arguments over the 'correct' interpretation run like a red thread through the history of the discipline. History always is made by individual people and their ideas, in this case feminists fighting for gender equity. The focus of the book is on these women as well as the actors and the subjective side of seemingly objective conditions. The 21st century will be the century of women.
