The Academics tackling everyday sexism in University Life

 'The Academics tackling everyday sexism in University Life'


Just an interesting article written by a female lecturer in Oxford University, Selina Todd. She comments on how her and some other female senior teaching staff went to a Historical Society conference and noticed the distinct lack of women studied, the belittling of the Women's work, and the attitudes toward the women there.
She comments on how their questions were often ignored, they were spoken over, and faced many a 'Mansplaining'. 

Selina comments on how after the conference she found herself in another, but with a much more tasteful motive. 'Women in the Humanities' is a 4 year old research programme, created by Oxford's own academics, to push for the study of women within their own institution, and if possible others as well. 


''Our universities are highly sexist institutions. Women are outnumbered and relegated to junior posts. More than 60% of academics are men, and about 80% of professors. Official statistics show that more women are on temporary contracts than men.''

Women in Humanities Info

On their website they draw out a plan of what they wish to achieve: 


''Women in the Humanities has five main aims:

•To create knowledge that develops new perspectives on gender equality. Oxford has the largest concentration of humanities researchers in the world, many of whom focus on women. Their collaboration can produce novel and workable solutions to advancing gender equality.

•To train and mentor the next generation of pioneering women scholars, policymakers and professionals by supporting research into women’s lives and representations.

•To promote women’s voices and influence within the Humanities.

•To support the University in its promotion of gender equality, recognised by the Vice-Chancellor as a strategic aim for Oxford.

•To collaborate with a variety of institutions and individuals to promote common aims and public engagement in Oxford and beyond.''

All very agreeable points. So overall I would like to find out more on these 'direct action' groups whose main objective is to tackle Sexism/Racism/General Inequality within Universities. I think they'd be great to use in illustration of how to combat the inequality within the Educational Institution.