Paperpresentation 19 maj
The use of gender equality measures in Swedish universities
Gender inequalities are persistent in academia, including the Nordic countries and Sweden with strong welfare state traditions. Gender balance remains to be skewed towards men in the most prestigious academic career positions, such as professorships. In this presentation, we investigate what equality measures Swedish universities have used to promote gender equality among academic staff, and put this in relation to other Nordic countries. By using organisational survey data on gender equality and diversity policies we apply a categorisation of gender equality measures to investigate how the use of gender equality measures in the universities has developed between 2000 and 2018. We also study which types of equality measures the universities have used to promote equality. We compare the findings over time and discuss the possible impacts of the use of specific types of equality measures on institutional gender balance.
Presentatörer: Charlotte Silander, Liza Reisel, Ida Drange och Maria Pietiälä
Wicked problems, leadership and clumsy solutions in higher education
In previous research, “wicked problems” are described and defined as a combination of complexity, uncertainty, and diversified values, between different actors. The literature also proposes that within wicked problems there are no simple solutions. Based on interviews with 12 university managers and leaders in Sweden and Britain, the results of this study show that teaching and teaching quality in higher education are areas with wicked tendencies, and often with an ambition to be solved by rational solutions. This paper consequently aims to identify how managers and other leaders in higher education, at different organizational levels and with different roles – related to teaching and learning quality – discuss and handle improvements and managing of teaching and learning. The paper also shows how clumsy solutions are part of leadership in today’s higher education.
Presentatör: Helen Stockhult