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Mind the gap: gender disparities still to be addressed in UK Higher Education geography
Author(s) -
Maddrell Avril,
Strauss Kendra,
Thomas Nicola J.,
Wyse Stephanie
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
area
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1475-4762
pISSN - 0004-0894
DOI - 10.1111/area.12223
Subject(s) - respondent , inequality , sociology , charter , higher education , geography , political science , gender studies , economic growth , public relations , economics , archaeology , mathematical analysis , mathematics , law
This paper evidences persistent gender inequalities in UK higher education ( HE ) geography departments. The two key sources of data used are: Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA ) data for staff and students, which affords a longitudinal response to earlier surveys by M c D owell and M c D owell and Peake of women in UK university geography departments, and a qualitative survey of the UK HE geography community undertaken in 2010 that sought more roundly to capture respondent reflections on their careers, choices, status and experiences. Findings show that although the gender gap is closing within HE geography in the UK there are significant ongoing gender disparities. Therefore, the paper argues that the long and demanding process of reducing gender inequalities (alongside other, equally vital intersectional inequalities) requires continued commitment. Furthermore, respondents evidence the cost of these inequalities: enablers and barriers to job security and career progression can have long‐term impacts on quality of life and financial security, and affect personal life decisions. In recent years the UK ‐based A thena S wan and Gender Equality Charter Mark agendas have prompted universities to address gendered disparities and the authors note a changing zeitgeist. The survey findings point to the need for sustained leadership within geography departments to address the day‐to‐day gender – and other – inequalities experienced in the workplace.