Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

United Kingdom

Gender not children 'holds women academics back'

Women academics do not rise through the ranks as fast as men with the same credentials and personal circumstances, research indicates.

The study, of 2,270 academics at 24 top UK universities, found the men reached more senior levels than the women, even after parenthood was accounted for.

The Cardiff University researchers said one explanation for this may be discrimination against women.

A universities spokesman acknowledged they were affected by “the gender gap”.

Advertisement

The Cardiff researchers selected 2,270 academics in a number of random subject areas in the 24 Russell Group research-led universities, often seen as the most prestigious institutions in the UK.

They sorted these into five different grades based on the academics’ job titles and then controlled for different personal factors such as:

  • gender
  • age
  • responsibility for household chores
  • number of dependent children

The study, Gender and Academic Rank in the UK, found a negative link between being a woman and the likelihood of being employed at senior level.

Even when their age, qualifications and the amount of research they had published was taken into account, women were less likely to have a senior role.

‘Discrimination?’

They were also more likely to spend more time teaching, which in research-led universities may not carry the same prestige.

The study, published in online journal Sustainability, said: “Put simply, two people who have similar or even identical credentials and personal circumstances except for one being a man and the other being a women are likely to have different academic ranks, with the man having a higher rank than the woman.

“One explanation for this phenomenon may be discrimination against women.”

Jess Cole, director of policy at the Russell Group, said: “This important work from Cardiff University reminds us that academia continues to suffer the gender gap we see in many professions and organisations.

“Russell Group universities take this issue very seriously and the researchers point to the policies that are in place to help staff balance work and home, such as flexible working and subsidised childcare, which run alongside initiatives to support women’s career progression, including mentoring and leadership schemes.

“Our members continue to develop these practices and programmes around the needs of their staff.”

Comments

Latest Tweets

Advertisement

You May Also Like

United Kingdom

Film director Ridley Scott has recalled the death of actor Oliver Reed while making the Oscar winning blockbuster Gladiator. Scott said hard-drinking Reed “just...

Business

The controversial Russian businessman Viktor Baturin, well-known for his years-long counterstanding with his wealthy sister Elena, widow of Moscow ex-mayor Yuri Luzhkov, is likely...

United Kingdom

The Tremeloes. Dave Munden centre Dave Munden the Tremeloes drummer – and often lead singer – with the 60s chart toppers has died. He...

United Kingdom

The Watneys Party Seven is making a comeback. The ubiquitous 70s beer was a bland fizzing bitter ridiculed by many. The drink’s insipidness helped...