EQU(AL)ITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: TEACHING GENDERS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PADUA

Since 2021, the University of Padua has been offering *Genders, Knowledge, and Social Justice* as a ‘general course’ designed to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within higher education. Open to students from all undergraduate and graduate programs, this interdisciplinary initiative aims to embed gender studies and social justice themes into academic curricula, aligning with European policies on EDI advancement. The course is structured in two main sections. The first provides a theoretical foundation in gender studies, introducing key interdisciplinary perspectives. The second examines gender relations across seven domains, mostly based on the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) framework: knowledge, power, work, health, money, time, with the addition of the ‘space’ domain. These areas are explored through multi- and transdisciplinary lenses, emphasising the cultural and social construction of gender and its intersection with other identity factors, including ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, age, education, sexual orientation, and religion. A central aspect of the course is its intersectional approach, ensuring discussions encompass diverse and marginalised perspectives. The program also highlights global and transnational feminist movements, examining their influence on contemporary debates surrounding identity, migration, and multiculturalism. Combining in-person lectures, online activities, and interactive workshops, the course fosters critical thinking and cross-disciplinary competencies. Students engage with faculty and experts to explore real-world applications of EDI principles. By equipping future educators with the tools to challenge the assumed neutrality of knowledge, the course contributes to a broader culture of respect and inclusion. The chapter analyses the course’s impact and challenges, offering insights into its role as a best practice model. It will also explore opportunities for replication across Coimbra Group Universities and European University Alliances, reinforcing the significance of transdisciplinary education in advancing EDI within European higher education institutions.