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Gender and Academic Citizenship Practices: The Norwegian Case

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Gendered Academic Citizenship

Part of the book series: Citizenship, Gender and Diversity ((FEMCIT))

Abstract

This chapter directs attention to a Nordic country and analyses some of the specific problems that women academics encounter in a national context which tops the international rankings of gender equality, namely Norway. The chapter reflects on this paradox, analyzing data from a research project that was funded by the Norwegian Research Council’s BALANCE program targeting gender balance in senior academic positions and research management. The chapter focuses on three factors that have direct relevance for gendered academic citizenship: The effects of increasing focus on ‘excellence’ measures and metrics; the role of networks in academic recruitment and promotions and the impact of gendered stereotypes about the researcher role, such as, definitions of the ‘ideal academic’ or the ‘typical professor’. In the context of increasing competition, the chapter identifies a third M-effect (in addition to the Matthew and Matilda effects that are already well-documented) that is the ‘Medusa-effect’. Using the visage of Medusa to symbolize uneasiness with powerful women, the chapter highlights factors leading to a limited academic citizenship for women academics.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The BALANSE-initiative on Gender Balance in Senior positions and Research Management (2012–2022) seeks to promote gender balance at the senior level in Norwegian higher education and research. See project website for details on the policy components: http://www.uib.no/balanse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, Norway

    Gry Brandser

  2. Department of Sociology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Sevil Sümer

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  1. Gry Brandser
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  1. Department of Sociology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Sevil Sümer

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Brandser, G., Sümer, S. (2020). Gender and Academic Citizenship Practices: The Norwegian Case. In: Sümer, S. (eds) Gendered Academic Citizenship. Citizenship, Gender and Diversity. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52600-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52600-9_4

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