Reimagining Gender Equality Research in Europe: A Multi‐Level Sociological Framework

ABSTRACT This study provides a comprehensive sociological mapping of gender equality research in Europe, examining how the field has evolved as both a policy regime and a cultural formation. Utilising a range of theoretical frameworks, including feminist, institutional and cultural theories, the study employs a comprehensive bibliometric and thematic analysis of over two decades of scholarly output (2000–2025). The findings indicate a shift from individual and labour‐oriented perspectives to multidimensional frameworks that integrate institutional, affective, and intersectional dimensions of equality. The research identifies persistent regional asymmetries in knowledge production, with Western and Northern Europe dominating academic networks, while Central and Eastern contexts remain underrepresented. The study introduces a “multi‐level equality framework” that connects structural, institutional, and cultural dimensions, illustrating how equality functions as both a sociological process and a site of political contestation. The article employs a multidisciplinary approach, situating gender equality within broader transformations in governance, emotion, and identity. This approach advances an integrative understanding of equality as a dynamic and contested social condition. The study concludes that the future of equality research lies in three key areas. Firstly, theoretical coherence must be deepened. Secondly, regional inclusivity must be expanded. Thirdly, cultural and emotional dimensions must be embedded within institutional analysis.