Shaping gender-power dynamics in academia : the role of organisational practices and policies

Abstract

This paper examines how organisational practices and policies influence gender-power dynamics within academia. Using qualitative autobiographical comparative inquiry, it explores the lived experiences of mainly female academics from diverse backgrounds. The findings are based on the data collected within the COST Action CA20137 VOICES network, using E-survey techniques consisting of both quantitative and qualitative research questions. The data collected from 36 participants was analysed using an intersectional approach, addressing how institutional hierarchies sustain inequities. The findings highlight persistent patriarchal norms that prioritise masculine perspectives and systematically undervalue women’s contributions. Participants described experiences of marginalisation, harassment, and unequal career opportunities, which are often compounded by intersecting factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, and socio-economic status. In the analysis conducted, precarious working conditions – one of the defining features of neoliberal academic systems – emerged as a major factor driving and exacerbating these inequalities, creating instability and heightened vulnerability, particularly for women and other marginalised groups. Research participants also highlighted disparities in workload distribution, with junior academics, particularly women, bearing disproportionate administrative and teaching responsibilities while senior, tenured academics retain privileges. Participants critiqued the lack of transparency and solidarity within institutions, noting how hierarchical systems reinforce inequities and discourage collective resistance. By combining personal narratives with structural analysis, this research offers a deeper understanding of how organisational practices sustain gendered power dynamics in academia. Consequently, it aims to contribute to a more just and inclusive academic environment.