The chapters of this volume report on the activities carried out within the frame of the fourth research theme of the Centre of Gender Excellence (GEXcel) at Linköping University during 2009.

During 2009, GEXcel launched Themes 4 and 5 together as a joint venture: ‘Sexual health, embodiment and empowerment: Bridging epistemological gaps.’ Theme 4 was summarised as: ‘Gender and violence – mechanisms, anti-mechanisms, interventions, evaluations.’ Theme 5 had two subthemes: a) Feminist and queer perspectives on sex education, sexual empowerment and pleasure, and b) Critical sexology. Theme 4 was headed by Professor Barbro Wijma, and Professor Nina Lykke was leader for Theme 5. The section on ‘Bridging epistemological gaps’ was jointly led by Barbro Wijma and Nina Lykke.

In this report, the activities of Theme 4 have been documented, and those of Theme 5 will be followed up in a forthcoming separate volume. The present volume is of a work-in-progress character and the texts are therefore to be elaborated further. The contributions from non-native speakers of English have been specifically revised by a professional editor. The editors have only made minor suggestions for revision of texts to increase clarity, and the content of the chapters are thus the authors’ own responsibility. The chapter by Johan Galtung on Cultural Violence has been reprinted from his book Peace by Peaceful Means, Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization, 1996 by permission from Sage Publications Ltd.

We would like to thank Katherine Harrison and Berit Starkman for all their assistance in the arrangements for Theme 4 and in the preparation of this volume, Liz Sourbut for English language revision of the manuscripts, Anna G Jónasdóttir for invaluable advice on applicants for GEXcel, and Nina Lykke for her support as GEXcel Director.