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ACADEMIC CAREERS AND GENDER BIAS

Summary

Publication on unconscious bias in appointment procedures

Target groups

Committees /

Implementing organization

University of Vienna - Gender Equality and Diversity unit /

Contact

femail@univie.ac.at

 

Implemented/introduced

Published 2019

Relation to gender equality targets

The booklet is intended to aid in increasing the proportion of women in academia. Several policy documents at the University of Vienna feature the elimination of underrepresentation of women. For example, the Development Plan (Point 4.6.3 Equality and Diversity) and the Affirmative Action Plan for the Advancement of Women (Section 2)

The objective(s) of the tool

Directed at appointment committees and panels, the handbook Wissenschaftskarriere und Gender Bias” (“Academic careers and gender bias”) aims at revealing unconscious gender bias that is active, for instance, in appointment procedures and at enabling identification of biases possibly influencing your decisions.

Description of the tool

The handbook renders visible (unconscious) biases which influence numerous different settings: stereotypes, stereotypical behavior of women/of men; notions of how perfect academics are supposed to be, as well as the interplay of these elements are substantiated by numbers and international research. As these studies show, our actions and decisions are often affected by unconscious attitudes and assumptions. Panels and committees are no exception even when objectively aiming at appointing the most suitable candidates.

How the tool works, practical experience

The handbook has only recently become available for committees and panels.

Attachments

Wissenschaftskarriere und Gender Bias.pdf (in German only)