ABSTRACT
Our aim in this chapter is to introduce some of the central ideas shaping how feminist geographers think about the world they study. As such, the focus here is inevitably theoretical, and this in itself we feel worthy of a few preliminary comments. Being university teachers, we all know the mere mention of the terms 'theoretical' and/or 'theory' - at least in a British context - is likely to instil negative reactions amongst students. 'Theory' for many British students seems readily labelled as 'hard' and/or irrelevant, an invitation to switch off rather than switch on. In this chapter, though, we set out to show otherwise: yes, theory requires you to think but this thinking is exciting, stimulating and full of possibilities. Furthermore, and as we show throughout this chapter, as well as enabling you to interpret empirical realities, theory is critical to understanding why researchers approach particular topics in particular ways.
