Universities are typically presented as meritocratic. In that context the under-representation of women in university senior management can be seen as reflecting an absence of merit. It will be suggested that such a conclusion ignores the gendering of definitions of merit in academia and the importance of social capital in accessing senior management positions. Using data collected in a cross national study (Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, UK, Turkey, South Africa, Sweden and Ireland), and drawing on Sinclair’s (1998) analytical model, the paper will present a typology of organisational culture involving denial; identification of women as ‘the problem’, incremental adjustment and commitment to a new culture. The paper will conclude by suggesting that the gendered character of Irish universities at senior management level is not unrelated to the disinterest of the state in this issue. The wider implications of the study for gender as a social structure (Reisman, 2004) will be briefly discussed.
Speaker Biography
Pat O’Connor is a Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Limerick. She is currently working on a project on gender in relation to Higher Educational Policies and Structures – with a particular focus on senior management in Higher Education.
For further information and to reserve your place please contact martin.ryan@dit.ie.
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Time: 1.30-3.00
Venue: The Boardroom, 3rd floor, DIT Cathal Brugha St
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