Men and masculinities in academia: Towards gender-sensitive perspectives, processes, policies and practices

This chapter examines academia through the lens of critical studies on men and masculinities and the interrogation of three interconnected themes. First, the main features of contemporary critical perspectives on men and masculinities are outlined. Second, three key processes regarding men and masculinities in academia and their need for change, are examined. These are: the situation of gendered individuals and men’s individual academic identities and gendered careers; how academia is organised and managed within academic organisations and organisational cultures; and broader questions of the relevance of gender for the construction of scientific knowledge, research process and knowledge production. The final part of the chapter addresses changing policies and practices, at individual and interpersonal, organisational, national and transnational levels of intervention in shifting men and masculinities in academia. The focus is on European contexts, though the issues raised have global relevance. The chapter seeks to extend debate on the gender-sensitive university through the interrogation and change of men and masculinities.