Butlerian performativity as epistemology in education policies

Authors

  • Allan Henrique Bacelar da Silva Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste
  • Juliane Sachser Angnes Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4887-7042

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5212/retepe.v.10.25317.012

Abstract

The propositions of this work are based on the theoretical implications of Judith Butler (2015) regarding performativity. Furthermore, the inflections of performativity as epistemology, its relationship with the productivity of gender, sex, and sexuality, and how this can be applied to education policy research are also explored. To do so, it is essential to consider key concepts from Butlerian epistemology, as well as identity processes within education policies, such as gender, sex, discourse, queer theory, and performativity. In this context, performativity is understood as an epistemology—entirely distinct from performance—especially when interpreted through the lens of the work Gender Trouble (Butler, 2015), which offers valuable conceptual contributions to education policy research. The aforementioned work challenges fixed notions of identity, or even identities, highlighting the importance of diversity and proposing epistemic possibilities that are more sensitive to abject, de-subjectified differences. The application of queer theory in education policy research serves as a post-critical resource, enabling an analysis of dominant norms of gender and sexuality within educational institutions. Moreover, it promotes strategies of transformation and resistance, aiming for an egalitarian education for abject/dissident bodies, as this perspective is believed to challenge the discrimination faced by these bodies, thereby functioning as a form of inquiry.

Keywords: Queer. Performativity. Epistemology. Gender. Education policies.

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Author Biographies

Allan Henrique Bacelar da Silva, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste

Doutorando em Educação pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (PPGE) da Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste (Unicentro), Paraná.

Juliane Sachser Angnes, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste

Doutora em Educação pela Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR). Professora efetiva da Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste (Unicentro) vinculada ao Departamento de Secretariado Executivo e aos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Administração (Mestrado Profissional) e em Educação (Mestrado e Doutorado).

Published

2025-11-05

How to Cite

SILVA, A. H. B. da; ANGNES, J. S. Butlerian performativity as epistemology in education policies. Revista de Estudios Teóricos y Epistemológicos en Política Educativa, [S. l.], v. 10, p. 1–10, 2025. DOI: 10.5212/retepe.v.10.25317.012. Disponível em: https://revistas.uepg.br/index.php/retepe/article/view/25317. Acesso em: 29 jan. 2026.

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