Exploring Contemporary Challenges to Equality in Academia

This book offers a comprehensive and global examination of the persistent gender-related challenges universities face in their pursuit of equality, diversity, and inclusion across teaching, research, management, and leadership. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, political science, gender studies, education, law, and more, it critically explores the pressures of corporatization, neoliberalization, and the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education institutions. Through a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative research, the book delves into key issues such as gendered divisions of academic labor, work-life conflict, sexual harassment, institutional change, and the inequalities perpetuated by neoliberal demands. It also highlights innovative approaches, including feminist perspectives on care, and transnational analyses, while featuring testimonials on groundbreaking gender equality initiatives and a critical review of work-life balance in academia.

This book is an essential resource for scholars, policymakers, academic leaders, and students interested in gender studies, higher education policy, organizational studies, and social justice.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue in the Journal of Gender Studies and are accompanied by a newly updated Introduction.