Gender Bias in Higher Education

More women than men are getting post-graduate degrees these days. But only 26 percent of full-time professors in academia are women.

Why the disparity?

“While gender bias is often denied in today’s world, the data continues to show that it exists in all sectors,” Patricia Deyton, director and senior lecturer for the Simmons School of Management’s Center for Gender in Organizations, tells PINK.

“Women academics on the tenure track deal with the intensity of their [jobs] at the same time that many of them have family responsibilities,” she adds.

What can be done? “Universities need to create a culture that welcomes, respects, nurtures and values women and their perspectives,” says Mary Dee Wenniger, editor and publisher of Women in Higher Education. She suggests cultural changes need to be made within universities – like better policies for women with families.

Experts say the low presence of women leaders is due to gender bias. Even when women do balance home and work responsibilities, they still earn lower salaries. They also gain fewer recognition awards and are promoted less.

What else can schools do to attract more female instructors? “[Women] need a mentor, a game plan for meeting specific steps toward tenure, outside support from friends and family, and above all – persistence,” suggests Wenniger, adding that men are currently twice as likely to receive tenure.

The Office of Women in Higher Education offers leadership forums, networking events and news for women in university jobs.

Bonus PINK Link: Find inspiration from PINK’s list of America’s Most Powerful Women in Education.

and let us know what you think!

By Brittani Banks

“One of the things about equality is not just that
you be treated equally to a man, but that you treat yourself
equally to the way you treat a man.” Marlo Thomas