Catalyst actors and sub politics enacted in gender balance reforms in/of academic institutions

• In Event: COMPOSTING Feminisms and Environmental Humanities 3: Pedagogies

Abstract

Gender equality and gender balance in academia is still an area in need of more knowledge and better inclusion instruments. In this paper, we ask who are the catalyst actors that are needed for success in gender equality work in academia and what strategies do they employ? What kinds of sub politics exist and are encountered in gender reform work? To answer these questions, we analyze three instruments of gender reform; gender equality plans, university strategy plans, and department heads.

The case is the largest university in Norway, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology. We have collected three sources of data. First, gender reform and general strategy documents from the top level and the Faculties. Second, a survey of all department heads at NTNU. Third, in-depth interviews with twelve department heads.

Gender equality strategies are produced at the top level and articulated through strategy documents and action plans. However, it is the department heads who have been designated the role as change agents in producing the actual gender reform. This means that they navigate goal-oriented policies from above and often vague and contradictory sub politics from below. How do the department heads interpret and handle this situation? Are they able and willing to enact the role of gender balance catalysts? We found that there are large variations in strategies employed, what kind of resources they see as available, the perception of agency they have and the dilemmas and sub politics they are facing when enacting gender reform expectations.

Authors

• Vivian Anette Lagesen, NTNU

• Siri Øyslebø Sørensen, Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU)