Dr Ruth Pearce receives Emma Goldman Award
Published: 17 March 2026
Dr Ruth Pearce has received an Emma Goldman Award, for innovative and dynamic research on feminist and inequality issues
Dr Ruth Pearce has received an Emma Goldman Award, for her innovative and dynamic research on feminist and inequality issues.
The Emma Goldman Awards are awarded annually by the FLAX Foundation to outstanding candidates across Europe, in recognition of Goldman’s exemplary legacy as a political activist and revolutionary thinker.
Dr Pearce is a Senior Lecturer in Community Development, based in the University’s School of Education. Her work explores issues of inequality, marginalisation, power, and transformative political struggle from an interdisciplinary trans feminist perspective.
Most recently, Dr Pearce co-authored a paper on trans children’s rights and the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law, warning that more needs to be done to ensure that these rights are fully protected in health and education.
She said: "I am very honoured to receive this prestigious prize, and grateful to share this honour with an astounding group of other women, working across borders on a range of urgent feminist projects. Trans liberation cannot succeed without women’s liberation, and vice-versa. I believe so deeply in what we can achieve together."
Announcing the award, Professor Mieke Verloo of Radboud University said: "Ruth engages with diverse projects encompassing all aspects of trans health and wellbeing, as well as sex and gender in health research, including current work on the Cass Review in the UK.
"She has a very strong track record on public engagement in a very polarised field, especially in the UK…she uses her unique positionality, genius, and kindness to advance gender theory and make the world liveable for trans people.
"Ruth is without question one of the most dynamic and generous trans scholars in Europe."
Feminist Emma Goldman (1869-1940) is considered one of the most important protagonists of European and North American anarchism, and the early peace movement. Her wildly popular speeches and prolific writings dealt with the themes of militarism, fascism, capitalism, migration, marriage, free love, and homosexuality.
In recognition of her legacy, the Netherlands-based, independent FLAX Foundation issues two types of prizes: the Emma Goldman Awards (EUR 50,000) and the Emma Goldman Snowball Awards (EUR 10,000). Both are awarded annually to selected candidates who are resident in Europe (regardless of their citizenship or immigration status) for their outstanding achievements and contributions to research on feminism and inequality.
Photo credit: Klaus Ranger
First published: 17 March 2026