Beyond Discrimination: Addressing Structural Challenges to Gender Equality in the Social Sciences (ACADEQUAL)
The project primarily aims to understand, address, and change structural barriers perpetuating gender inequality in Norwegian social science in general, and at ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´'s Department of Comparative Politics in particular. With that, it aims to a) generate knowledge by mapping gender balance in Scandinavian social science departments and identify factors for gender balance success; it aims to b) build networks by extending Sampol’s women’s network, creating role models and mentoring opportunities, and introducing a BA course on gender in politics; and it aims to c) encourage change by creating awareness and discussion via faculty-wide seminars addressing care work/academic careers and methodological/internationalization barriers.
Affiliation
Duration
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About the research project
ACADEQUAL deals with the gender imbalance at the Department, investigates sources of and attitudes towards gender imbalance in the social sciences in Scandinavia, and offers a deepened understanding of gender imbalance in social sciences at ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ and Norway more generally. While a better gender balance is more frequently achieved in humanities and social sciences, the wide variation in balance that exists indicates that some departments are more successful while others struggle. We aim to understand and address structural barriers that perpetuate gender inequality in social science even when direct discrimination is absent. Such barriers may result from gender skews in dominant methodological approaches, from the gendered implications of the international academic job market, and from the interplay of these factors. Drawing on a combination of empirical research, network building, and interventions targeting structural change, we aim to understand and address some of the hurdles towards gender balance at the Department of Comparative Politics (ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´), and even beyond. We aim to extend the reach of the existing women’s network at the department beyond female employees towards an engagement of the entire staff, and to connect with other initiatives in the social sciences in Bergen and Norway.
The main outcomes of the project will be a Scandinavia-wide survey of macro- and micro-factors conditioning gender balance in social science departments; an increased reach and experience of the Sampol women’s network; an additional senior female role model and mentor; and two faculty-wide seminars to encourage awareness and discussion. In terms of impact, all staff members will be more knowledgeable and aware of structural barriers to gender equality in academic careers, and practical departmental policies promoting gender equality will be developed. In the long-term, we intend to contribute to a transformed departmental culture integrating gender equality into hiring, research collaboration, and teaching practices. Regarding impact beyond ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ and Sampol, we expect that our survey findings will inform evidence-based policies, while the BA course will educate 100-200 students annually, potentially influencing their future contributions to public sector, politics, and civil society.
People
Project manager
Yvette Peters Project leader
Jana Birke Belschner Project leader
