Equality, justice and gender: barriers to the ethical university for women

Abstract

Academic women experience working in higher education differently to their male counterparts. This article argues that the unequal position of women academics is unethical, irrespective of whether one takes a consequentialist or deontological ethical position. By drawing on a range of international studies, the article explores the reasons for this inequity, suggesting that the ‘cult of individual responsibility’, the positioning of women academics as ‘other’ and the impact of having a family are significant factors. Having identified the reasons why university women experience the system differently, the article then reflects on how the ethical university can move towards bringing about greater equity between male and female colleagues.