* Performativity of gender: This is arguably her most famous contribution. She argues that gender is not a fixed identity but rather something that is constantly performed and produced through repeated actions and behaviors. This performance is not a mere imitation of a pre-existing essence, but rather constitutes the very reality of gender.
* The social construction of identity: She extends the performativity argument to other identities, demonstrating how categories like sex, gender, and sexuality are not natural or essential but socially constructed through language, discourse, and power relations.
* Critique of power structures: Much of her work is a critique of how power structures, particularly heteronormativity and other forms of oppression, operate to regulate and control bodies and identities.
* The ethics of precarity and vulnerability: In her later work, she expands on her analysis to explore the ethical implications of recognizing vulnerability and precarity as constitutive aspects of human existence.
* Political activism and protest: Her scholarship is often directly connected to political activism and social justice movements. She analyzes how political actions themselves can shape and reshape categories of identity.
Therefore, while "gender" is a central theme, it's crucial to understand that Butler's research delves into the broader intersection of gender, sexuality, power dynamics, and the social construction of identity itself.