Project purpose

The empirical and theoretical framework of the project

A change of perspective is linked to the question of mechanisms to include or exclude women professionally. Recent gender research in organisational sociology assumes that the decrease in women working in academic institutions cannot be sufficiently explained with socialism processes at home or at school. A number of studies demonstrated that the low percentage of women in academic leading positions is due not only to a low educational participation of women and a lack of young female personnel. 50% of students are female, there are large variations in the share of women with regard to the subject area. Especially "feminine" subjects, like e.g., in linguistics and cultural studies, there are few prospects of career progression for women.

The lack of integration of women into the academic labour market is not linked to a lack of career orientation and / or a specific focus on child and family. Based on subtle mechanisms, well-qualified and highly motivated women are excluded from the university as a professional field.

To put it differently: In science, it is always about identifying the best students and candidates. Formal structures and informal interaction mechanisms intertwine and unite men in their competition for academic recognitions, based on the following factors:

1. Women are considerably seldom encouraged to pursue a university career and their careers are less likely to be supported

2. They are given lower-paid jobs with a shorter contract period or they have to support themselves through research fellowships

3. Women are less often introduced to professional research networks

4. In comparision to other countries, the low degree of academic qualifications put women at a disadvantage

5. Gender bias affects valid definitions of academic achievements

Career research indicated that reconciling a family and a career is not only impediment to having a university career as a women. Even a potential motherhood can have a very negative effect on career options because it per se casts a doubt on a women´s scientific qualification. De facto, however, there are no significant differences with regard to the number of publications.
 

Project leader:
Dr. Christel Hornstein

Project team member:
Dipl.-Soz. Wiss. Susanne Achterberg

E-Mail:
gleichstellung[at]uni-wuppertal.de

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