Reflecting on the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Sarah Knott: 'Why a History of Care?'
On Monday 24 November 2025, some members of St John’s College and the wider University community were invited to the Examination Schools to celebrate a landmark occasion; the inaugural lecture of Professor Sarah Knott, who was appointed to the Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair of Women’s History in August 2024. This prestigious role signals Oxford’s commitment to advancing feminist scholarship and exploring the often overlooked or hidden histories that shape women’s lives.
The lecture was hosted by Professor Lady Sue Black, President of St John’s College, and Professor Martin Conway, Chair of the History Faculty, who warmly welcomed attendees to this significant moment in the College’s history. This followed by a drinks reception, offering an opportunity for conversation and connection among scholars, students, and guests.
Professor Knott’s lecture, titled 'Why a History of Care?', invited the audience to reflect on a concept that feels both familiar and complex and examined why they should care about care. In her talk, she traced the evolution of 'care' from its everyday meanings to its emergence as a political and cultural concern. Today, care is central to debates about social policy, gender equality, and economic justice—whether in childcare, elder care, healthcare, or mutual aid networks.
Knott explored the transformative moment of the 1980s, when activists and scholars began to frame care as a concept that could challenge entrenched systems of patriarchy and capitalism. The lecture traced differing perspectives on care, from a domestic to ultimately a political and economic concern. Her lecture made a compelling case for why care deserves a prominent place in feminist historiography and why it matters for our times.
The following day, Tuesday 25 November, St John’s College hosted a panel discussion titled 'The Politics of Care' in the College Auditorium. The event was led by Professor Emily Jones (Oxford), speakers were Professor Sarah Knott (Oxford), Secretary Hilary Rodham Clinton, Ms Ai-Jen Poo (US National Domestic Workers Alliance and Caring Across generations) and Professor Kirsten Swinth (Fordham). This roundtable brought together leading feminist voices from politics, activism, and academia to consider how care became a US policy concern in the late 20th century and what this history reveals about today’s welfare and care challenges. There was a lively timely, and informative discussion from the expert panel. Many of the issues particularly affect and women. To paraphrase part of the discussion, ‘other countries have welfare systems, but the US has women’.
The topics ranged from the role of political figures and grassroots movements in shaping care agendas to the ongoing struggles for recognition and equity in care work. It was an engaging and thought-provoking session, highlighting the intersections of history, policy, and lived experience. The panel also discussed the strong economic case for re-valuing care and caring work. Indeed the statistics quoted were that in the US, enhancing cost effective or free childcare to allow more women to enter the workforce could raise the GDP by almost 10%. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how care operates not only as domestic ethical choices but also as a political question—one that continues to shape debates about justice and social responsibility.
These inaugural events marked an important step in Oxford’s commitment to women’s history and feminist scholarship. The creation of the Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair underscores the University’s recognition of the need to study gender and power in all their complexity. Professor Knott’s appointment brings a scholar of international standing to this role, and her inaugural lecture set the tone for a research agenda that promises to be both intellectually rigorous and socially relevant.
The St John’s Women’s Network is proud to be part of the College that hosts the Hillary Rodham Clinton chair, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue on care, gender, and equality.