Structural change towards gender equality: learning from bottom-up and top-down experiences of GEP implementation in universities

Caprile, Maria; Bettachy, Mina; Duhaček, Daša; Mirazić, Milica; Palmén, Rachel; Kussy, Angelina

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/9781802621198

Structural change towards gender equality: learning from bottom-up and top-down experiences of GEP implementation in universities

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Citation

Caprile M, Bettachy M, Duhaček D, Mirazić M, Palmén R, Kussy A. Structural change towards gender equality: learning from bottom-up and top-down experiences of GEP implementation in universities. In: Wroblewski A, Palmén R, editors. Overcoming the challenge of structural change in research organisations: a reflexive approach to gender equality. Leeds: Emerald Publishing Limited; c2022. p. 161-79. DOI: 10.1108/978-1-80262-119-820221010

Abstract

Universities are large, complex and highly hierarchical organisations with deeply engrained gendered values, norms and practices. This chapter reflects on the experiences of two universities in initiating structural change towards gender equality as supported by the TARGET project. A common aspect thereby is the lack of a national policy in higher education and research providing specific support for implementing gender equality policies. The process of audit, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the first gender equality plan (GEP) in each of these universities was conceived as a first step in a long journey, providing a framework for engaging different institutional actors and fostering reflexive, evidence-based policy making. The analysis deals with reflexivity and resistance and seeks to draw lessons from bottom-up and top-down experiences of GEP implementation. It is the result of shared reflection between the GEP ‘implementers’ in the two universities and the team who provided support and acted as ‘critical friends’.