Carol Bacchi

School of Social Sciences

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Carol Bacchi is Professor Emerita of Politics. She researchers and writes in the fields of feminist political theory, policy theory, mobility studies and citizenship. She is best known for the development of an analytic strategy for policy analysis, called "What's the Problem Represented to be?" (the WPR approach). Bacchi has written a text introducing the approach (Analysing Policy: What's the Problem Represented to be?, Pearson Education, 2009). Examples of application of the approach are available in her most recent book, Poststructural Policy Analysis: A Guide to Practice (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016), co-authored with Susan Goodwin.

A new website provides links to important publications, replies to frequently asked questions about the WPR approach, and a research blog, where Bacchi comments on recent debates and books/articles in the field. Go to: https://carolbacchi.com

Other sole-authored books include: Liberation Deferred? The Ideas of the English-Canadian Suffragists, 1877-1918, (University of Toronto Press.1983),Same Difference: Feminism and Sexual Difference (Allen and Unwin, 1990), The Politics of Affirmative Action: "Women", Equality and Category Politics (Sage, 1996), Women, Policy and Politics: The Construction of Policy Problems (Sage, 1999), and Fear of Food: A Diary of Mothering (Spinifex Press, 2003). . In 2010 she co-edited a book with Joan Eveline entitled Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (University of Adelaide Press, available free online).

Career
Publications
Supervision
Contact

Appointments

Date Position Institution name

2017 - ongoing Honorary Doctorate University of Umea

2010 - ongoing Professor Emerita University of Adelaide
Education

Date Institution name Country Title

McGill University Canada PhD
Research Interests

Gender Studies Health Policy Political Science Political Theory Poststructuralism Public Policy Social Change Social Policy Sociology and Social Studies of Science and Technology

Date	Position	Institution name
2017 - ongoing	Honorary Doctorate	University of Umea
2010 - ongoing	Professor Emerita	University of Adelaide

Date	Institution name	Country	Title
	McGill University	Canada	PhD

Journals

Year	Citation
2023	Bacchi, C. (2023). Bringing a ‘What’s the problem represented to be?’ approach to music education: a national plan for music education 2022. Music Education Research, 25(3), 231-241. DOI Scopus6
2018	Bacchi, C. L. (2018). Drug Problematizations and Politics: Deploying a poststructural analytic strategy. Contemporary Drug Problems, 45(1), 12 pages. DOI Scopus56
2018	Baum, F., Graycar, A., Delany-Crowe, T., de Leeuw, E., Bacchi, C., Popay, J., . . . Fitzgerald, J. (2018). Understanding Australian policies on public health using social and political science theories: reflections from an Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia Workshop. Health Promotion International, 34(4), 833-846. DOI Scopus16 WoS11 Europe PMC10
2017	Bacchi, C. (2017). Policies as Gendering Practices: Re-Viewing Categorical Distinctions. Journal of Women, Politics and Policy, 38(1), 20-41. DOI Scopus85
2017	Bonham, J., & Bacchi, C. (2017). Cycling 'subjects' in ongoing-formation: the politics of interviews and interview analysis. Journal of Sociology, 53(3), 687-703. DOI Scopus25 WoS12
2016	Bacchi, C. (2016). Problematizations in health policy: questioning how “problems” are constituted in policies. SAGE Open, 6(2), 1-16. DOI Scopus157
2015	Bacchi, C. (2015). Problematizations in alcohol policy: WHO's "alcohol problems". Contemporary Drug Problems, 42(2), 130-147. DOI
2015	Bacchi, C. (2015). The turn to problematization: political implications of contrasting interpretive and poststructural adaptations. Open Journal of Political Science, 5(1), 1-12. DOI
2014	Bacchi, C., & Rönnblom, M. (2014). Feminist discursive institutionalism - a poststructural alternative. NORA, 22(3), 170-186. DOI Scopus44
2014	Bacchi, C., & Bonham, J. (2014). Reclaiming discursive practices as an analytic focus: political implications. Foucault Studies, (17), 173-192. DOI Scopus142
2012	Bacchi, C. (2012). Why study problematizations?: making politics visible. Open Journal of Political Science, 2(1), 1-8. DOI
2010	Bacchi, C. (2010). Poststructuralism, Discourse and Problematization: Implications for gender mainstreaming. Kvinder, Koen & Forskning, 4, 62-71.
2009	Bacchi, C. (2009). Challenging the displacement of affirmative action by gender mainstreaming. Asian Journal of Womens Studies, 15(4), 7-29. DOI
2009	Eveline, J., & Bacchi, C. (2009). Obeying organizational 'rules of relevance': Gender analysis of policy. Journal of Management & Organization, 15(5), 566-581. DOI Scopus7
2009	Bacchi, C. (2009). Problematizing "Gender Equality". Nora - Nordic Journal of Women's Studies, 17(4), 304-306. DOI
2009	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2009). Gender mainstreaming or diversity mainstreaming? The politics of "doing". Nora - Nordic Journal of Women's Studies, 17(1), 2-17. DOI Scopus33
2009	Eveline, J., Bacchi, C., & Binns, J. (2009). Gender mainstreaming versus diversity mainstreaming: Methodology as emancipatory politics. Gender, Work and Organization, 16(2), 198-216. DOI
2008	Bacchi, C. (2008). The politics of research management: Reflections on the gap between what we 'know' (about SDH) and what we do. Health Sociology Review, 17(2), 165-176. DOI Scopus30
2008	Osborne, K., Bacchi, C., & Mackenzie, C. (2008). Gender analysis and community consultation: The role of women's policy units. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 67(2), 149-160. DOI Scopus12
2007	Bacchi, C. (2007). The ethics of problem representation: Widening the scope of ethical debate. Policy & Society, 26(3), 5-20. DOI
2007	Beasley, C., & Bacchi, C. (2007). Envisaging a new politics for an ethical future: Beyond trust, care and generosity - Towards an ethic of 'social flesh'. Feminist Theory, 8(3), 279-298. DOI Scopus92
2006	Bacchi, C. (2006). Approaches to gender mainstreaming: What's the problem (represented to be)?. Medien & Zeit, 4, 4-14.
2006	Bacchi, C., Eveline, J., Binns, J., Mackenzie, C., & Harwood, S. (2006). Gender analysis and social change: Testing the water. Policy & Society, 24(4), 45-65. DOI
2006	Bacchi, C. (2006). Minority rights. Australian Journal of Political Science, 41(3), 495-496. DOI
2005	Bacchi, C. (2005). Discourse, discourse everywhere: Subject "Agency" in feminist discourse methodology. Nora - Nordic Journal of Women's Studies, 13(3), 198-209. DOI Scopus110
2005	Bacchi, C., & Schofield, T. (2005). 'Reinventing Gender Equality and the Political' : Special Issue: Policy and Society, 2005; 24(4). Policy & Society, 24(4), 1-24. DOI
2005	Bacchi, C., & Beasley, C. (2005). The limits of trust and respect: Rethinking dependency. Social Alternatives, 24(4), 55-59. WoS5
2005	Bacchi, C. (2005). The MAGEEQ project: Identifying contesting meanings of "gender equality". Greek Review of Social Research, 117, 221-234.
2005	Eveline, J., & Bacchi, C. (2005). What are we mainstreaming when we mainstream gender?. International Feminist Journal of Politics, 7(4), 496-512. DOI Scopus103
2005	Bacchi, C. (2005). Affirmative action for men: 'A test of common sense'?. Just Policy, 36, 5-10.
2005	Beasley, C., & Bacchi, C. (2005). The political limits of 'Care' in re-imagining interconnection / community and an ethical future. Australian Feminist Studies, 20(46), 49-64. DOI WoS20
2005	Bacchi, C., & Schofield, T. (2005). Introduction. Policy and Society, 24(4), 1-4. DOI
2004	Bacchi, C. (2004). Gender/ing impact assessment: can it be made to work?. Journal of Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, 9(2), 93-111.
2004	Bacchi, C. (2004). Policy and discourse: challenging the construction of affirmative action as preferential treatment. Journal of European Public Policy, 11(1), 128-146. DOI Scopus80
2003	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2003). Mainstreaming and neoliberalism: a contested relationship. Policy & Society, 22(2), 98-118. DOI
2002	Bacchi, C., & Beasley, C. (2002). Citizen bodies: is embodied citizenship a contradiction in terms?. Critical Social Policy, 22(2), 324-352. DOI Scopus88
2001	Bacchi, C. (2001). Gender mainstreaming: a new vision, more of the same, or backlash?. Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Dialogue, 20(2), 16-20.
2000	Bacchi, C. (2000). States, markets, families: Gender, liberalism and social policy in Australia, Canada, Great Britain and the United States. Australian Journal of Political Science, 35(2), 359-360. DOI
2000	Beasley, C., & Bacchi, C. (2000). Citizen bodies: embodying citizens - a feminist analysis. International Feminist Journal of Politics, 2(3), 337-358. DOI Scopus62
2000	Bacchi, C. (2000). The seesaw effect: down goes affirmative action, up comes workplace diversity. Journal of Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, 5(2), 64-83.
2000	Bacchi, C. (2000). Policy as discourse: what does it mean? where does it get us?. Discourse (Abingdon), 21(1), 45-57. DOI Scopus455
1999	Bacchi, C. (1999). Managing diversity: A contested concept. International Review of Women and Leadership, 5(2).

Books

Year	Citation
2024	Bacchi, C. L. (2024). Same difference: Feminism and sexual difference. Routledge. DOI
2016	Bacchi, C., & Goodwin, S. (2016). Poststructural Policy Analysis: A Guide to Practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
2016	Bacchi, C., & Goodwin, S. (2016). Poststructural Policy Analysis: A Guide to Practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (Eds.) (2010). Mainstreaming politics: gendering practices and feminist theory. Adelaide: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus79
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (Eds.) (2010). Mainstreaming politics: gendering practices and feminist theory. Adelaide: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus79
2010	Bacchi, C. (2010). Personal reflection. University of Adelaide Press. DOI
2009	Bacchi, C. (2009). Analysing policy : what’s the problem represented to be?. Malaysia: Pearson.
2002	Nursey-Bray, P., & Bacchi, C. (Eds.) (2002). Left directions: Is there a third way?. University of Western Australia.
1999	Bacchi, C. (1999). Women, Policy and Politics: The Construction of Policy Problems. Sage Publications.
1996	Bacchi, C. (1996). The Politics of Affirmative Action: 'Women', Equality and Category Politics. Sage.
1983	Bacchi, C. L. (1983). Liberation Deferred? The Ideas of the English-Canadian Suffragists 1877-1918 (1st ed.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Book Chapters

Year	Citation
2023	Bacchi, C. (2023). Governmentalizing 'policy studies'. In Handbook on Governmentality (pp. 54-71). Edward Elgar Publishing. DOI Scopus3
2016	Bacchi, C., & Bonham, J. (2016). Poststructural interview analysis: Politicizing "personhood". In C. Bacchi, & S. Goodwin (Eds.), Poststructural Policy Analysis: A Guide to Practice (pp. 113-121). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. DOI
2016	Bacchi, C., & Bonham, J. (2016). Poststructural interview analysis: Politicizing "personhood". In C. Bacchi, & S. Goodwin (Eds.), Poststructural Policy Analysis: A Guide to Practice (pp. 113-121). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. DOI
2015	Bonham, J., Bacchi, C., & Wanner, T. (2015). Gender and cycling: Gendering cycling subjects and forming bikes, practices and spaces as gendered objects. In J. Bonham, & M. Johnson (Eds.), Cycling Futures (pp. 179-201). Adelaide: University of Adelaide Press. DOI
2012	Bacchi, C. (2012). Introducing the 'What's the Problem Represented to be?' approach. In A. Bletsas, & C. Beasley (Eds.), Engaging with Carol Bacchi: Strategic Interventions and Exchanges (1 ed., pp. 21-24). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus225
2012	Bacchi, C. (2012). Strategic interventions and ontological politics: Research as a political practice. In A. Bletsas, & C. Beasley (Eds.), Engaging with Carol Bacchi: Strategic Interventions and Exchanges (1 ed., pp. 141-156). Australia: University of Adelaide Press.
2012	Beasley, C., & Bacchi, C. (2012). Making politics fleshly: The ethic of social flesh. In A. Bletsas, & C. Beasley (Eds.), Engaging with Carol Bacchi: Strategic Interventions and Exchanges (1 ed., pp. 99-120). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus20
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2010). Gender mainstreaming or diversity mainstreaming? The politics of 'doing'. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 311-334). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus7
2010	Eveline, J., & Bacchi, C. (2010). Obeying organisational 'rules of relevance': gender analysis of policy. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 283-310). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus3
2010	Eveline, J., Bacchi, C., & Binns, J. (2010). Gender mainstreaming versus diversity mainstreaming: methodology as emancipatory politics. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 237-262). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus4
2010	Osborne, K., Bacchi, C., & Mackenzie, C. (2010). Gender analysis and community participation: the role of women's policy units. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 191-214). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus2
2010	Eveline, J., & Bacchi, C. (2010). What are we mainstreaming when we mainstream gender?. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 87-110). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus6
2010	Bacchi, C., Eveline, J., Binns, J., Mackenzie, C., & Harwood, S. (2010). Gender analysis and social change: testing the water. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 61-86). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus1
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2010). Mainstreaming and neoliberalism: a contested relationship. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 39-60). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus16
2010	Bacchi, C. (2010). Gender/ing impact assessment: can it be made to work?. In Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 17-38). Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus8
2010	Mackenzie, C., & Bacchi, C. (2010). University-public sector research collaboration: mine the space, never mind the gap. In C. Bacchi (Ed.), Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 263-282). South Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus2
2010	Eveline, J., & Bacchi, C. (2010). Power, resistance and reflexive practice. In C. Bacchi (Ed.), Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 139-162). South Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus11
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2010). Approaches to gender mainstreaming: what’s the problem represented to be?. In C. Bacchi (Ed.), Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 111-138). South Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus50
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2010). Conclusion: A politics of movement. In C. Bacci (Ed.), Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 335-342). South Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus1
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2010). Introduction. In C. Bacci (Ed.), Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. 1-16). South Australia: University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus1
2010	Bacchi, C., & Eveline, J. (2010). Preface to "Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory". In C. Bacchi, & J. Eveline (Eds.), Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (pp. ix-x). The University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus45
2009	Bacchi, C. (2009). The issue of intentionality in frame theory. The need for reflexive framing. In E. Lombardo, P. Meier, & M. Verloo (Eds.), The discursive politics of gender equality. Stretching, bending and policymaking (pp. 19-35). United States: Routledge. DOI Scopus76
2006	Bacchi, C. (2006). Arguing for and against quotas: theoretical issues. In D. Dahlerup (Ed.), Women, Quotas and Politics (pp. 32-51). 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN: Routledge. DOI Scopus49
2005	Bacchi, C. (2005). Policy. In P. Essed, D. Goldberg, & A. Kobayashi (Eds.), A Companion to Gender Studies (pp. 181-191). Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA: Blackwell Publishers Inc.
2005	Bacchi, C., & Beasley, C. (2005). Reproductive technology and the political limits of care. In M. Shildrick, & R. Mykitiuk (Eds.), Ethics of the Body: Postconventional Challenges (pp. 175-194). Cambridge, MA 02142: MIT Press.
2003	Bacchi, C. (2003). The practice of affirmative action policies: Explaining resistances and how these affect results. In I. Boerefijn, F. Coomans, J. Goldschmidt, R. Holtmaat, & R. Wolleswinkel (Eds.), Temporary special measures - accelerating de facto equality of women under article 4(1) UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (pp. 75-95). Antwerp: Intersentia.
2001	Nursey-Bray, P., & Bacchi, C. (2001). Introduction: Socialism and the Third Way. In P. Nursey-Bray, & C. Bacchi (Eds.), Left Directions: Is There a Third Way? (pp. 1-9). Crawley, WA 6009: UWA Press.
2001	Bacchi, C. (2001). Dealing with 'Difference': Beyond 'Multiple Subjectivities'. In P. Nursey-Bray, & C. Bacchi (Eds.), Left Directions: Is There a Third Way? (pp. 110-122). Crawley, WA 6009: UWA Press.
2001	Bacchi, C. (2001). Managing equity: Mainstreaming and 'Diversity' in Australian Universities. In A. Brooks, & A. Mackinnon (Eds.), Gender and The Restructured University (pp. 119-135). Celtic Court, 22 Ballmoor Buckingham MK18 1XW: Open University Press.
2001	Bacchi, C. (2001). Women's Electoral Lobby. In W. Prest, K. Round, & C. Fort (Eds.), The Wakefield Companion to South Australian History (pp. 588-589). Australia: Wakefield Press.
2001	Bacchi, C. (2001). Affirmative action. In Encyclopedia of democratic thought. UK: Routledge.
2000	Bacchi, C. (2000). Shifting policy frameworks: Disclosure and discipline. In P. Corcoran, & V. Spencer (Eds.), Disclosures (pp. 100-117). Croft Rd Aldershot Hants GU11 3HR England: Ashgate Publishing Limited. DOI
1999	Bacchi, C. (1999). Rolling back the state'? Feminism, theory and policy. In Women, Public Policy and the State (pp. 54-69). Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd.
1998	Bacchi, C. (1998). Changing the Sexual Harrasment Agenda. In Gender and Institutions: Welfare, Work and Citizenship (pp. 75-89). Cambridge University Press.
1997	Bacchi, C. (1997). La Teoria Encuentra a La Practica: Acciones Afirmativas Y Politica de Categorias. In Mujeres En El Fin De Siglo: Desafios Y Controversias (pp. 71-87). REUN.

Conference Papers

Year	Citation
2006	Bacchi, C. (2006). Policy, theory, politics: problem representations in drug and gambling policy. In 2nd International Summer School on Inequality and Addictive Behaviours: A Fair Go For All? Policy Responses to Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Issues. NCETA, 18-19 September 2006, Conference Centre, University of Adelaide. (pp. 16 pages). Adelaide, South Australia: University of Adelaide.
2004	Bacchi, C., & Beasley, C. (2004). An Ethic of Social Flesh: Moving Beyond Care and/or Trust. In C. Beasley, L. Hill, C. ohnson, G. McCarthy, & C. Macintyre (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australasian Political Studies Association Conference 2004 (pp. www 1-www 30). www.adelaide.edu.au/apsa/papers: APSA.
2002	Bacchi, C. (2002). Achieving equality for women in academia: Finding a way through the 'equity' maze. In Women in Academia - A Nordic perspective. Proceedings from the conference in Oslo 7th-9th May 2001 (pp. 12-19). Oslo, Norway: Nordic Academy for Advanced Study.

Original Creative Works

Year Citation

2003 Authors: Bacchi C. Title: Fear of Food: A Diary of Mothering. Description: Type of work : Book Extent : 145 pages; 20 cm.. Extent: 145 pages; 20 cm..

Year	Citation
2003	Authors: Bacchi C. Title: Fear of Food: A Diary of Mothering. Description: Type of work : Book Extent : 145 pages; 20 cm.. Extent: 145 pages; 20 cm..

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2013 - 2013	Principal Supervisor	Feminism and the ‘Woman Equals Mother’ Discourse in Reproductive Politics in Australia	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Part Time	Ms Angella Duvnjak
2005 - 2010	Principal Supervisor	Poverty in the 'Age of Affluence': A Governmental Approach	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Dr Angelique Bletsas
2003 - 2007	Principal Supervisor	South Australian Aborigines Protection Board (1939-1962) and Governance through 'scientific' Expertise: A Genealogy of Protection and Assimilation'	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Part Time	Dr Margaret Macilwain
2000 - 2007	Principal Supervisor	Discourse, Subjectivity and the Policy Realm: Reconceptualising Policy Workers as Located Subjects	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Ms Zoe Gill
1999 - 2007	Principal Supervisor	Regulating the Biological Family: Policy, Genetics, Discourse, and Diminishing 'Other' Bodies	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Ms Bronwyn Donaghey
1994 - 2002	Co-Supervisor	POLITICISING THE PRODUCTIVE: SUBJECTIVITY, FEMINIST LABOUR THOUGHT AND FOUCAULT	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Part Time	Ms Wendy Bastalich

Email: carol.bacchi@adelaide.edu.au

Carol Bacchi

Appointments

Education

Research Interests

Journals

Books

Book Chapters

Conference Papers

Original Creative Works

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

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