LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Dr. Victoria Collins has published a new book providing a global examination of the role of women as organizers for social change.
Collins, associate professor and director of criminal justice programs, is the author of “Women’s Resistance in Global Context,” published by Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. In the book, Collins analyzes historical and contemporary examples of women serving as resistance actors across various regions of the world.
Writing the book required extensive interdisciplinary research spanning criminology, victimology, sociology, international relations, and related fields. Collins, whose work is grounded in critical criminology, expands analysis beyond traditional criminal justice approaches to examine broader conceptualizations of social harm, state-perpetrated violence, and resistance.
The book analyzes the role of women as resistance actors, unpacking formal and informal strategies of resistance such as acts of dissent, activism, pacifism, and collective action, while highlighting how women have repeatedly stood in the face of social, political, and cultural violence in ways that have gone unrecognized.
“Women are amazing,” Collins said. “They have a strength that is not always recognized. What inspires me the most are individuals whose contributions are sometimes overlooked or silenced, yet they persevere for the greater social good. Their commitment is inspirational.”
Reflecting on the themes of the book, Collins highlights the role of women’s participation in collective action and resistance efforts. Drawing on global examples, her work documents how women organize, innovate, and lead initiatives that fight injustice, and influence policy and legal change.
“The most important takeaway of this book is recognizing the contributions of women’s strategic resistance behaviors, their effectiveness as organizers for social change, as well as their creativity and resilience in the face of counter-resistance efforts both from counter-movements and the state,” Collins shared. “Globally, resistance actions, tools, and strategies vary, yet so often women are at the core of activist movements. It is important to recognize these efforts and their impact in an ever-changing global landscape that provide unique challenges to human rights and the wellbeing of all people.”
Collins is a recognized scholar in criminology, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective supported by an extensive publication record and nearly a decade of administrative leadership. She is also the author of several other books including “Space Expansionism and Criminology,” which examines crime, environmental harm, and violence within the context of state and corporate expansion into outer space.
“Women’s Resistance in Global Context” is available through Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group and major online retailers.
