Michel Foucault and Sexualities and Genders in Education

This book examines, within the context and concerns of education, Foucault’s reflections on friendship in his 1981 interview “Friendship as a Way of Life.” In the interview, Foucault advances the notion of a homosexual ascesis based on experimental friendships, proposing that homosexuality can provide the conditions for inventing new relational forms that can engender a homosexual culture and ethics, “a way of life,” not resembling institutionalized codes for relating. The contributors to this volume draw from Foucault’s reflections on ascesis and friendship in order to consider a range of topics and issues related to critical studies of sexualities and genders in education. Collectively, the chapters open a dialogue for researchers, scholars, and educators interested in exploring the importance and relevance of Foucault’s reflections on friendship for studies of schooling and education.

“For researchers, the collection provides insightful theoretical backing for research on school and university cultures in which ascesis presents or absents itself. Further, the essays thoughtfully consider the ways in which ascesis as friendship may disrupt existing heteronormative dynamics or potentially reenact exclusionary practices.” (Christian G.Gregory, Journal of LGBT Youth, August 31, 2021) “It is always a joy to read engaged texts that do the hard work of linking complex philosophical exploration with the contexts of our contemporary time. This volume does just that and, importantly, employs close reading as a means to link Foucault's notion of ascesis with the critical study of education. Carlson and Rodriguez have brought together an impressive collection of insightful, challenging, and provocative chapters authored by scholars who do not shy away from political confrontation and philosophical experimentation. This is powerful work.” (Aaron M. Kuntz, Professor of Educational Studies, University of Alabama, USA)

“With their exploration of Foucault's "Friendship as a Way of Life," it is refreshing to see renewed focus on the relational—so often the domain of feminist theorizing in education—emerge in queer studies. For educators, this volume's focus is especially important: the relational aspects of learning discussed here stand in stark contrast to contemporary accountability schemes designed to hyper-individuate and isolate learners. Further, in a social context where friendship networks are among the most racially and gender-segregated social institutions, such queer expansions of friendship, as theorized here, will hopefully help shatter such exclusionary practices.” (Cris Mayo, Director of LGBTQ+ Center and Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies, West Virginia University, USA)

“Carlson and Rodriguez problematize in an unconventional way all the conventions, and create an important new rigorous reading of less used Foucault’s work, Friendship as Ascesis. The result is a deeply original and highly provocative collection edited by experts on Foucault and education. As editors, they guide the team of gifted thinkers to challenge norms and to create a fascinating and deeply engaging journey through alternative ways of looking at and thinking with genders and sexualities in Education practices, theories, and schooling.” (Marek Tesar, Associate Professor and Associate Dean of International Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, New Zealand)

“Carlson and Rodriguez have provoked a compelling collection of essays exploring what Foucault’s conceptualization of friendship, which is about the collaboration and negotiation of relationship construction, might offer educators. Central to this concept is Foucault’s notion of ascesis, or the work one does to invent one’s self. Together, the scholars in this volume offer the possibility of transformation through teachers and students coming together and being in relation to one another, as visitors and as friends, while engaging in pedagogy, subversion, and strategic disorientation. Thus, the collection invites educators into “friendship[s] as ascesis” as a way of queering schools.” (Mollie Blackburn, Professor of Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University, USA)

David Lee Carlson is Associate Professor of Qualitative Research in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University, USA. His current research focuses on the ways in which the post-qualitative movement continues to problematize the onto-epistemology of research methodologies.

Nelson M. Rodriguez is Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at The College of New Jersey, USA. His current research areas span queer studies and education, critical masculinity studies, and Foucault studies.