Tensions, Challenges, and Opportunities: Internal Networks Supporting Gender Equality Policy Processes and Structural Change in Universities

This article examines the role of internal networks in supporting gender equality (GE) units and GE policy processes within universities, focusing on the tensions, challenges, and opportunities that can be encountered. Using two illustrative cases from Spain and employing a qualitative approach, it...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Tildesley, Rebecca, Bustelo Ruesta, María Dolores
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/131179
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/131179
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:316
Gender equality policy
internal networks
structural change
universities
Ciencias Sociales
59 Ciencia Política
Descripción
Sumario:This article examines the role of internal networks in supporting gender equality (GE) units and GE policy processes within universities, focusing on the tensions, challenges, and opportunities that can be encountered. Using two illustrative cases from Spain and employing a qualitative approach, it explores how these networks, bridging top-down and bottom-up approaches, navigate the balance between centralized and decentralized approaches in managing and implementing GE plans and the impact of institutionalization. Research has examined GE policy networks and women’s academic participation, but within-university GE networks are less studied. Tensions arise between institutionalization and feminist activism, coordinated action and idea generation, and local ownership and change agents’ limited authority. Challenges include obtaining institutional recognition while maintaining feminist sensibility, emphasizing the importance of nurturing networks. We highlight the productive power of resistance and the need to capitalize on context-specific opportunities for driving structural change in universities.