Ann Oberhauser , a professor of geography at West Virginia University , has been selected as the director of the WVU Center for Womens Studies .

Professor Oberhausers commitment to gender equality in academia and beyond makes her an excellent choice for this position,said Rudolph P. Almasy, interim dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences .Under her able leadership, we expect continued growth and development of the womens studies program.

Oberhauser received her masters degree and doctorate in geography at Clark University. Before joining WVU , she was an adjunct geography faculty member at the University of Toledo.

Her research interests include gender and development, livelihood strategies in developing regions, feminist methodologies and critical pedagogy. Much of her research has taken place in Appalachia and sub-Saharan Africa, where she examined how gender is linked to livelihood strategies in the household and community.

As director of the Center for Womens Studies, I plan to develop the centers efforts to ensure gender equality and improve the climate for women at WVU and in communities outside the University,Oberhauser said.This position provides an opportunity for me to work with the dedicated staff, faculty and students associated with the Center for Womens Studies to strengthen feminist research, teaching and practice at WVU .

Oberhauser teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in human geography, qualitative methods, feminist geography, globalization and development. During her tenure at WVU , she has been active in the Center for Womens Studies as a member of the advisory board, research committee and student scholarship committee.

For more information about the Center for Womens Studies, call 304-293-2339 ext. 1155 or visit /wmst.wvu.edu .