How to change the university How to change the university

cultures:cultures: Incremental and Incremental and radical suggestionsradical suggestions

Cathrine Hasse, Professor, University of Aarhus, DPUCathrine Hasse, Professor, University of Aarhus, DPU

Women in Academia – barriers and good practice

Conference 18.-19. May 2009, University of Aarhus

Background: Three views Background: Three views on the cultural ‘becoming’ on the cultural ‘becoming’ of gendered scientists of gendered scientists

The Niels Bohr project – 1996-2002The Niels Bohr project – 1996-2002(The Danish Research Counsel) (The Danish Research Counsel)

The Cultural Dimensions of ScienceThe Cultural Dimensions of Science

2002-20052002-2005(The Danish Research Counsel)(The Danish Research Counsel)

UPGEM 2005-2008UPGEM 2005-2008European Commission, 6th FP (www.upgem.dk)European Commission, 6th FP (www.upgem.dk)

Roads to female career Roads to female career paths in Academiapaths in Academia

1. Change the women 1. Change the women 2. Change the workplace 2. Change the workplace

cultureculture 3. Change the university 3. Change the university

structurestructure

Change the womenChange the women

1.1. Female researchers do not apply for positions or funding to the same Female researchers do not apply for positions or funding to the same extent as male colleaguesextent as male colleagues

Bertel Ståhle: Fornyelse i forskerstaben. Forskerpersonale ogBertel Ståhle: Fornyelse i forskerstaben. Forskerpersonale og

forskerrekruttering på danske universiteter 2004-2006. Uni-C 2007. online www.uni-c.dkforskerrekruttering på danske universiteter 2004-2006. Uni-C 2007. online www.uni-c.dk

2. Solution: 2. Solution:

a.a. Encourage womenEncourage women

b.b. Self-assertion coursesSelf-assertion courses

c.c. Give women particular help and attentionGive women particular help and attention

d.d. Help women change disciplines (e.g. from language studies to physics)Help women change disciplines (e.g. from language studies to physics)

Change the Workplace cultureChange the Workplace culture

A diverse pattern A diverse pattern of of universities as cultural universities as cultural workplacesworkplacesFindings and discussions www.upgem.dkFindings and discussions www.upgem.dk

Change the Workplace Change the Workplace CultureCulture

Do universities as workplace cultures Do universities as workplace cultures create different potentials for male create different potentials for male and female opportunities for and female opportunities for expressing themselves innovatively?expressing themselves innovatively?

If so: HOW?If so: HOW?

(Break the Pattern! www.upgem.dk)(Break the Pattern! www.upgem.dk)

The UPGEM project: 2005-2008The UPGEM project: 2005-2008

Understanding Puzzles in the Gendered Understanding Puzzles in the Gendered European Map (UPGEM) is an international European Map (UPGEM) is an international collaboration between Denmark, Estonia, collaboration between Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Italy and Poland. The project Finland, Italy and Poland. The project examines the influence of culture on everyday examines the influence of culture on everyday life at university as a workplacelife at university as a workplace

A. Qualitative studies of the cultural working A. Qualitative studies of the cultural working environment of academic staff at universities.environment of academic staff at universities.

B. Identify local cultural-historical processes B. Identify local cultural-historical processes

creating ‘leavers’ – especially female leaverscreating ‘leavers’ – especially female leavers

Data collection + seminarsData collection + seminars

DataData1.1. 235 interviews with male and female physicists translated into English. 235 interviews with male and female physicists translated into English.

Aprox. 50% of the informants are employed outside of academia in the Aprox. 50% of the informants are employed outside of academia in the partner country.partner country.

2. Field observations from 20 physics institutes2. Field observations from 20 physics institutes

3. X-Ray of 20 physics institutes and other quantitative data3. X-Ray of 20 physics institutes and other quantitative data

4. Information boxes with cultural historical background information.4. Information boxes with cultural historical background information.

5. Seminars: 6 weeks in Copenhagen 2006, 1-2 weeks in Estonia, Finland, 5. Seminars: 6 weeks in Copenhagen 2006, 1-2 weeks in Estonia, Finland, Poland and Italy in 2006-2008.Poland and Italy in 2006-2008.

Target Countries where the interviews are carried out

Other target Countries where

statistical data are collected

Target Countries where the interviews are carried outTarget Countries where the interviews are carried out

Other target Countries where statistical data are collectedOther target Countries where statistical data are collected

UPGEM X-ray: Women in UPGEM X-ray: Women in %%

Associate professor Associate professor ProfessorProfessor DK DK 1010 33 FIFI 1212 99 ESTEST 1111 1010 PLPL 1414 1313 ITIT 3333 2323

Draw the Line Draw the Line (www.upgem.dk)(www.upgem.dk)

The particular problems for female The particular problems for female researchers in (and leaving) these local researchers in (and leaving) these local cultures:cultures:

Discrimination against womenDiscrimination against women Downplay of femininityDownplay of femininity Sexual harassmentSexual harassment Perceptions of womens careers as inseparable Perceptions of womens careers as inseparable

from family responsibilityfrom family responsibility Lack of female role-models and identification Lack of female role-models and identification

possibilities with stereotypespossibilities with stereotypes

Draw the Line Draw the Line (www.upgem.dk)(www.upgem.dk)

General problems connected to university as workplace culture:

Open and hidden competitionOpen and hidden competition HarassmentHarassment Loneliness in Academia, Lack of feedbackLoneliness in Academia, Lack of feedback Demands of mobilityDemands of mobility Power structuresPower structures Reconciliation of family and work-life Reconciliation of family and work-life New masculinitiesNew masculinitiesPotential leavers in spite of passion for physicsPotential leavers in spite of passion for physics

What is a “Workplace Culture”?What is a “Workplace Culture”?

FROM “WORKPLACE CULTURE” FROM “WORKPLACE CULTURE” to IDEAL TYPE CULTURES OF to IDEAL TYPE CULTURES OF CONNECTIONSCONNECTIONS

www.upgem.dkwww.upgem.dk

Cultures of connectionsCultures of connections

“Science is formed through cultural learning processes, which influence the selection of who are able to perform as scientists. Cultural learning processes form conceptual connections over time, which are too self-evident to be questioned. They are only challenged when they are confronted with amazingly different connections.”

““Culture is not about consensus, but in- and exclusions”Culture is not about consensus, but in- and exclusions”

Hasse, C. 2002. Kultur i bevægelse: Fra deltagerobservation til kulturanalyse - i det fysiske rum, København: Forlaget Samfundslitteratur.Hasse, C. 2002. Kultur i bevægelse: Fra deltagerobservation til kulturanalyse - i det fysiske rum, København: Forlaget Samfundslitteratur.

Hasse, C. 2008. Cultural Models of PhysicsHasse, C. 2008. Cultural Models of Physics. . An Analysis of Historical Connections Between Hard Sciences, Humanities and Gender in An Analysis of Historical Connections Between Hard Sciences, Humanities and Gender in Physics. Physics. In In University Science and Mathematics Education in TransitionUniversity Science and Mathematics Education in Transition, O. Skovsmose and P. Valero eds. Hamburg: , O. Skovsmose and P. Valero eds. Hamburg: Springer Verlag Springer Verlag p. 109-122.p. 109-122.

The Method of Culture The Method of Culture ContrastContrast

A model of analysis in which culturally formed connections are contrasted A model of analysis in which culturally formed connections are contrasted making “culture”:making “culture”:

A. Culture as an ‘empirical fact’ is only to be found in the analysis of A. Culture as an ‘empirical fact’ is only to be found in the analysis of contrasted relations. contrasted relations.

B. Actual clusters of connections that form a directive force in people’s lives, B. Actual clusters of connections that form a directive force in people’s lives, and which can be argued to include or exclude people from certain and which can be argued to include or exclude people from certain workplace activitiesworkplace activities

The analytical strategy following this principle is to look for patterns of self-The analytical strategy following this principle is to look for patterns of self-evident meaning in the local (national) analyses made by local evident meaning in the local (national) analyses made by local researchers in the five UPGEM countries and pursue these by using the researchers in the five UPGEM countries and pursue these by using the culture contrast method. culture contrast method.

Hasse, C. & Trentemøller, S. (2008). Break the Pattern! : A critical enquiry into three scientific workplace cultures: Hercules, Caretakers and Worker Bees . Hasse, C. & Trentemøller, S. (2008). Break the Pattern! : A critical enquiry into three scientific workplace cultures: Hercules, Caretakers and Worker Bees . Tartu: Tartu University Press. Tartu: Tartu University Press.

Cultural diversityCultural diversity

Differences in perceptions of education (girls schools, compulsory teaching of physics).

Differences in the economic development and the labour market.Differences in perception of class status in relation to gender.Differences in the prestige of science (and subsequently in the

researchers’ salaries).Differences in religious influence in Protestant and Catholic countries. Differences in state support of child care. Differences in conceptions of family Differences in university entry requirements (the Classical Physicist)Different workplace cultures

Hasse, C. & Trentemøller, S. (2008). Break the Pattern! : A critical enquiry into three scientific workplace cultures: Hercules, Caretakers and Worker Bees . Hasse, C. & Trentemøller, S. (2008). Break the Pattern! : A critical enquiry into three scientific workplace cultures: Hercules, Caretakers and Worker Bees . Tartu: Tartu Tartu: Tartu University Press. Page 101University Press. Page 101

Ideal-types in Physics Ideal-types in Physics Culture Culture (Break the Pattern! www.upgem.dk)(Break the Pattern! www.upgem.dk)

The individual physicist in the competitive The individual physicist in the competitive physics context: Hercules. physics context: Hercules.

The caring physicists in social context: The The caring physicists in social context: The Caretakers Caretakers

The diligent physicist in the work context: The diligent physicist in the work context: The Work-BeesThe Work-Bees

Findings and discussion:Findings and discussion: The Hercules CultureThe Hercules Culture Hercules praise innovation, playfulness and jokesHercules praise innovation, playfulness and jokes Hercules despise public distrust of scienceHercules despise public distrust of science Focus solely on the physics community and the Focus solely on the physics community and the

international fight for a Nobel Prizeinternational fight for a Nobel Prize Individual fight against individual in fierce competitionIndividual fight against individual in fierce competition Hercules use all available cultural elements in Hercules use all available cultural elements in

competition (including nepotism, slander and gender - competition (including nepotism, slander and gender - if possible)if possible)

Hercules despise intersection of family-issues at the Hercules despise intersection of family-issues at the workplaceworkplace

Hercules praise late work-hoursHercules praise late work-hours Hercules praise long stays abroad Hercules praise long stays abroad

Findings and discussion:Findings and discussion: The Caretakers Culture.The Caretakers Culture. They accept innovation, play and jokes as long as it does not They accept innovation, play and jokes as long as it does not

challenge the groupchallenge the group They accept public distrust of science and actively try to change They accept public distrust of science and actively try to change

(physics as well as the possible bad image of physics) (physics as well as the possible bad image of physics) Caretakers prioritise social obligations (also to society) to the Caretakers prioritise social obligations (also to society) to the

promotion of a Nobel Prize-physicspromotion of a Nobel Prize-physics Caretakers praise intersection of family-issues at the workplaceCaretakers praise intersection of family-issues at the workplace Focus on local social relations in the local working groupFocus on local social relations in the local working group Group fight against group in competitionGroup fight against group in competition The caretaker group is organised as a family with a place for The caretaker group is organised as a family with a place for

everyone who accept the group structureeveryone who accept the group structure The Caretaker do not use of all available cultural elements in The Caretaker do not use of all available cultural elements in

competition within the group, but might use nepotism, slander and competition within the group, but might use nepotism, slander and gender - if possible – to protect the group.gender - if possible – to protect the group.

The group does not praise late work-hours, but the youngest stay The group does not praise late work-hours, but the youngest stay the longestthe longest

The group only praise long stays abroad if the group and the The group only praise long stays abroad if the group and the family comes alongfamily comes along

Ideal-types in Physics Ideal-types in Physics Culture Culture (Break the Pattern! www.upgem.dk)(Break the Pattern! www.upgem.dk)

The individual physicist in the competitive The individual physicist in the competitive physics context: Hercules. physics context: Hercules.

(Predominant DK and male)(Predominant DK and male)

The caring physicists in social context: The The caring physicists in social context: The Caretakers Caretakers

(Predominant IT and both female/male)(Predominant IT and both female/male)

The diligent physicist in the work context: The The diligent physicist in the work context: The Work-BeesWork-Bees

(Predominant PL and EST (Predominant PL and EST and both female/maleand both female/male))

Gendered epistemology ?Gendered epistemology ?The politics of differenceThe politics of difference

””Feminist research orients us not only toFeminist research orients us not only to

relations and symmetries among persons relations and symmetries among persons and things, but also to the politics of and things, but also to the politics of difference”difference”

Lucy Suchman (2005) Agencies in Technology Design: Feminist ReconfigurationsLucy Suchman (2005) Agencies in Technology Design: Feminist Reconfigurations

Change the university Change the university structurestructure

Reconfiguration of ”Hard” and ”Soft” Reconfiguration of ”Hard” and ”Soft” sciencessciences

Agency is not an attribute but the ongoing Agency is not an attribute but the ongoing reconfigurings of the world.reconfigurings of the world.

Barad 2003: 818Barad 2003: 818

Where are the women in the Where are the women in the university system?university system?

WomenWomen MenMen

PsychologyPsychology

MedicineMedicine

AnthropologyAnthropology

SociologySociology

PedagogyPedagogy

HealthcareHealthcare

LanguagesLanguages

MediaMedia

Social SciencesSocial Sciences Henningsen, I. (1998a). Kønsdifferentierede adgangskrav på Henningsen, I. (1998a). Kønsdifferentierede adgangskrav på overgangen til de lange videregående uddannelser. overgangen til de lange videregående uddannelser. (Arbejdspapir nr. 3 i skiftserien I. Henningensen (ed.) Køn i den (Arbejdspapir nr. 3 i skiftserien I. Henningensen (ed.) Køn i den akademiske organisation) København: Institut for akademiske organisation) København: Institut for StatskundskabStatskundskab

PhilosophyPhilosophy

PhysicsPhysics

InformaticsInformatics

EngineersEngineers

EconomyEconomy

BusinessBusiness

MediaMedia

Social SciencesSocial SciencesKøn og konstruktion af eliteforskning. En analyse af priser og programmerKøn og konstruktion af eliteforskning. En analyse af priser og programmer

Inge HenningsenInge Henningsen

Københavns UniversitetKøbenhavns Universitet

inge@math.ku.dkinge@math.ku.dk

Lige stillinger? Aleksandersalen 22. april 2009Lige stillinger? Aleksandersalen 22. april 2009

Change the university Change the university structure?structure?

Aarhus University:Aarhus University:   CANDIDATES OCTOBER 2007CANDIDATES OCTOBER 2007

Female Female MaleMale

HUMHUM 400400 220220 SUNSUN 259259 123123 TEOTEO 6565 3636 DPUDPU 132132 2727 SAMSAM 355355 325325 ASBASB 319319 369369 NATNAT 154154 240240

A repeated pattern of gendered preferences?A repeated pattern of gendered preferences?

Women in physics in Denmark prefer Women in physics in Denmark prefer geophysics to general physicsgeophysics to general physics . .

Hasse, C. 1998. Forestillinger og køn i videnskabens samfund. Portræt af en gruppeHasse, C. 1998. Forestillinger og køn i videnskabens samfund. Portræt af en gruppe

fysikstuderende – med antropolog. Arbejdspapir nr.4. Køn i den Akademiske Organisation. red. Inge Henningsen.fysikstuderende – med antropolog. Arbejdspapir nr.4. Køn i den Akademiske Organisation. red. Inge Henningsen.

The Classical PhysicistThe Classical Physicist

”In 2000–01, 23080 students were enrolled in physics studies at Italian universities. Of these 43.9% were women and of that percentage more than a third had a humanistic background, whereas only less than a tenth of the men had such a background.”

Hasse, C. 2008. Cultural Models of PhysicsHasse, C. 2008. Cultural Models of Physics. . An Analysis of Historical Connections Between Hard Sciences,An Analysis of Historical Connections Between Hard Sciences,

Humanities and Gender in Physics. Humanities and Gender in Physics. In In University Science and Mathematics Education in TransitionUniversity Science and Mathematics Education in Transition , O. Skovsmose , O. Skovsmose

and P. Valero eds. Hamburg: and P. Valero eds. Hamburg: Springer Verlag Page 124Springer Verlag Page 124..

Situated knowledgesSituated knowledges

I would like to insist on the embodied I would like to insist on the embodied nature of all vision, and so reclaim the nature of all vision, and so reclaim the sensory system that has been used to sensory system that has been used to signify a leap out of the marked body and signify a leap out of the marked body and into a conquering gaze from nowhere.into a conquering gaze from nowhere.

Donna J. Haraway (1988) Situated Knowledges:Donna J. Haraway (1988) Situated Knowledges:

The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial PerspectiveThe Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial Perspective

Gendered embodied Gendered embodied epistemology?epistemology?

Women and men cluster differently in Women and men cluster differently in how they as researchers are placed in how they as researchers are placed in areas close to materiality. Men work as areas close to materiality. Men work as ‘builders’ – building mashines, very ‘builders’ – building mashines, very hands on or higly theoretical (the Smith hands on or higly theoretical (the Smith and the Highpriest in UPGEM: Draw the and the Highpriest in UPGEM: Draw the Line! www.upgem.dk).Line! www.upgem.dk).

Women analyse and do fieldwork – and Women analyse and do fieldwork – and are often found in areas concerning are often found in areas concerning climate changes, hospital equipment. climate changes, hospital equipment.

Theoretical vs. Geophysics Theoretical vs. Geophysics

(Draw the Line! www.upgem.dk):(Draw the Line! www.upgem.dk): Percent of female scientistsPercent of female scientists

Teoretical physicsTeoretical physicsDepartment Department Men Women Women in %Men Women Women in %Institute of Theoretical PhysicsInstitute of Theoretical Physics 77 14 77 14 1515Theoretical Physics Theoretical Physics 46 5 46 5 1010Theory programTheory program 36 5 36 5 1212Theoretical physics Theoretical physics 16 1 16 1 6 6Theoretical Atomic-scale Physics Theoretical Atomic-scale Physics 32 2 32 2 6 6GeophysicsGeophysics Department Department Men Women Women in % Men Women Women in % Department of geophysicsDepartment of geophysics 2525 20 20 4444Institute of GeophysicsInstitute of Geophysics 2424 8 8 2525Environmental ChemistryEnvironmental Chemistry 44 4 4 5050Estonian Marine InstituteEstonian Marine Institute 1010 4 4 2929AtmosphericsciencesAtmosphericsciences 4444 22 22 3333GeophysicsGeophysics 1111 7 7 3939GeophysicsGeophysics 55 3 3 3838GeophysicsGeophysics 3939 13 13 2525----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

X-ray PhysicsX-ray Physics 1414 6 6 3030

Reconfigurations of situated Reconfigurations of situated knowledge of physicsknowledge of physics

Female preferences for classical studies Female preferences for classical studies connected with physics (CDS) connected with physics (CDS) (e.g. (e.g. Hasse, C. Hasse, C. 2008. Cultural Models of Physics2008. Cultural Models of Physics. . An Analysis of Historical An Analysis of Historical Connections Between Hard Sciences, Humanities and Gender in Connections Between Hard Sciences, Humanities and Gender in Physics. Physics. In In University Science and Mathematics Education in University Science and Mathematics Education in TransitionTransition, O. Skovsmose and P. Valero eds. Hamburg: , O. Skovsmose and P. Valero eds. Hamburg: Springer Springer Verlag Verlag p. 109-122)p. 109-122)

Cultures shape differences in how male Cultures shape differences in how male and female physicists can release creative and female physicists can release creative potentials potentials from their situated experiencesfrom their situated experiences. . Hercules, Caretaker culture and Worker bee culture (UPGEM: Hercules, Caretaker culture and Worker bee culture (UPGEM: www.upgem.dk)www.upgem.dk)

The politics of differenceThe politics of difference

““A counter project, therefore, is to question the A counter project, therefore, is to question the value placed on innovation itself. The aim is to value placed on innovation itself. The aim is to understand how a fascination with change and understand how a fascination with change and transformation might not be universal, but transformation might not be universal, but rather specifically located and with particular rather specifically located and with particular political consequences for women, both in political consequences for women, both in terms of the possibilities that are available to terms of the possibilities that are available to them, and the visibility of their already existing them, and the visibility of their already existing contributions.”contributions.”

Suchman, Lucy (2000) Embodied Practices of Engineering Work. Mind, Culture &Activity 7: 4-18Suchman, Lucy (2000) Embodied Practices of Engineering Work. Mind, Culture &Activity 7: 4-18

From incremental change of From incremental change of ”women” to radicaly ”women” to radicaly acknowledging gendered situated acknowledging gendered situated knowledgeknowledge

1. The categorization of ’women’: The trap of ’all women’ 1. The categorization of ’women’: The trap of ’all women’ (Bleir 1984, Harding 1986, Irigaray 1985) = A general (Bleir 1984, Harding 1986, Irigaray 1985) = A general feminine approach to materiality.feminine approach to materiality.

2. Rejection of a general ’female science’ 2. Rejection of a general ’female science’ (Stengers, (Stengers,

1997, 2000)1997, 2000)

3. Situated knowledge in a new reconfiguration of 3. Situated knowledge in a new reconfiguration of science (with a multitude of epistemologies including science (with a multitude of epistemologies including ‘new masculinities’). ‘new masculinities’).

Radical configurations of university Radical configurations of university disciplines (50-50% funding)disciplines (50-50% funding)

Soft situated knowledgesSoft situated knowledges Hard situated knowledgesHard situated knowledges

Cultural psychologyCultural psychology

BiomedicineBiomedicine

Continental philosophyContinental philosophy

””Clasical physicists”Clasical physicists”

GeophysicsGeophysics

Design userdriven InformaticsDesign userdriven Informatics

””Gender”-economyGender”-economy

Pedagogical EconometricsPedagogical Econometrics

Hardcore medicineHardcore medicine

Analytical PhilosophyAnalytical Philosophy

Theoretical PhysicsTheoretical Physics

CERN physicsCERN physics

General InformaticsGeneral Informatics

National EconomyNational Economy