It is impossible to overstate the significance of academics and researchers as they contribute significantly to society by generating new knowledge, educating the next generation, and addressing social challenges. They develop new theories, techniques, and technologies that have the potential to advance several areas. By impacting industries like technology, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, their work promotes social and economic progress. One outstanding example of this is Ramona Mihaila, whose scholarly work has made significant contributions to the advancement of gender equality.
Based in Romania, Mihaila has a strong academic background. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Modern Literature in 2007 after earning a master’s degree in the same subject from the University of Bucharest.
She works at Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University (UCDC) in Bucharest, Romania, as a researcher and academic. She has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures as well as the Vice-Rector for International Relations.
Since earning a Ph.D. with a dissertation on the representation of female characters in 19th-century prose, Mihaila has consistently focused her research on gender studies and women’s studies. She has (co)authored and (co)edited over 30 scholarly volumes and contributed to over 300 presentations at national and international conferences, demonstrating her academic competence at the nexus of gender theory, women’s writing, and literature. Her work has been widely disseminated due to peer-reviewed publications in indexed journals and international academic databases.
Mihaila has undertaken research fellowships at the Library of Congress (USA), Chawton House Library and the University of Southampton (UK), Nova Lisboa University (Portugal), and the Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands. She has been a manager, coordinator, or collaborator on several European research initiatives centered around women’s writing, gender studies, and urban safe placemaking, which attests to her significance on a global level.
Mihaila’s career as an educator is truly wonderful. She has served as a visiting professor at several esteemed institutions, including Arizona State University (USA), Coventry University (UK), Giustino Fortunato University in Benevento (Italy), the University of Burgos (Spain), and Istanbul Aydin University (Turkey).
In addition to her exceptional work as a researcher and educator, Mihaila has been active in many literary and social associations and has often served as a guest speaker, panel moderator, and invited commentator for events, radio and television interviews, and print media. She has made a significant contribution to international discussions on gender justice and women’s leadership by participating in panels hosted by the Association for Dialogue and Universal Values at two UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) editions, in New York.
Success comes to those who embrace challenges. Mihaila is a great example of this. She worked very hard and overcame many challenges to become the lady she is today.
“Throughout my academic journey, I have faced a number of challenges—both structural and personal—that have shaped my path and strengthened my commitment to education, research, and equity. Coming from a country where access to international academic platforms was limited during the early stages of my career, I had to work diligently to build connections and earn recognition beyond national borders. Securing fellowships abroad, participating in international research collaborations, and promoting gender studies within a still-conservative academic culture often required persistence and resilience.
The limitations I faced in my career made some opportunities more difficult to pursue, but they also fueled my determination to create space for dialogue, scholarship, and exchange across disciplines and geographies. These experiences, however, have only deepened my resolve to advocate for equality and inclusion in higher education.
Leading international projects, founding a research institute on social study of gender within DCCU and mentoring young scholars have been not only professional achievements but also personal missions. Each challenge I have overcome has reinforced my belief in the power of education to transform both individuals and institutions—and in the importance of building academic spaces where all voices, especially those historically marginalized, are heard and respected,” she stated during a recent interview.
Mihaila’s role as executive publishing editor of the Journal of Research in Gender Studies, published by Addleton Academic Publishers in New York, further demonstrates her outstanding contributions to gender equality. Through this publication, she has had the opportunity to support voices from underrepresented academic communities, promote interdisciplinary dialogue, and ensure that scholarly research informs and responds to contemporary global challenges.
In a recent interview, she stated that her long-term goals are still to advance gender studies research, education, and advocacy, with a particular focus on establishing environments that support systemic equality and female empowerment.
As Head of Office at the National Agency for Equal Opportunities within the Romanian Government, she has had the opportunity to significantly broaden her perspective, particularly from a social standpoint, over the past three years. In this role, she has continued her collaboration with policymakers, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and grassroots initiatives, while also expanding her research beyond the academic setting into applied social practice.
Ramona Mihaila has made too many contributions to gender studies and women’s studies to list them all here. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to state that she has emerged as one of the most inspirational female researchers in these fields.
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