Gender research in Eastern Europe started with the transition to democracy and neoliberal market economy. The roots of this development, the pre-1989 research on social inequalities, and the import of English as a language of inquiry combined with intellectual reference points determined its institutions, outreach and impact. We can differentiate three phases of institutionalization: 1. before Eastern European countries joined the EU; 2. after the introduction of the Bologna process; 3. the post-2008 emergence of anti-gender movements that currently question the foundation, terminology, and politics of gender studies.