intersectionally

Intersectionally is an adverb used to describe actions, analyses, or approaches that account for the interlocking nature of social identities and systems of oppression or privilege. It derives from intersectionality, a framework that examines how overlapping categories—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, nationality, and age—shape people’s experiences and social outcomes. The concept was popularized in academic and activist contexts by scholars including Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s and has since spread across disciplines, including sociology, gender studies, public policy, education, and health care.

In practice, describing something as intersectionally oriented means the work considers multiple categories simultaneously and assesses how their interactions influence a given outcome. For example, an intersectionally informed employment study might analyze how race and gender interact with age or disability to affect hiring and promotion, rather than treating each category in isolation. In policy or program design, intersectional reasoning seeks to identify and address overlapping disadvantages to prevent gaps in access or outcomes.

Limitations and challenges include methodological complexity, data limitations, and the risk of overgeneralizing or essentializing groups. Critics emphasize the need for clear definitions, transparent assumptions, and rigorous methods, while proponents argue that intersectional analysis is essential for equity because single-category approaches miss important dynamics.

See also: intersectionality; Kimberlé Crenshaw; critical race theory.