Working for Gender Equality in the Neoliberal Academia: Between Theory and Practice

ABSTRACT In this executive letter, Barbara Poggio reports her experience as vice-rector of equality and diversity at the University of Trento (Italy), emphasizing the issue of gender asymmetries and the current challenges in the academic environment. The text results from a lecture at the Faculty of Business at the University of Lakehead (Canada) in June 2021. The letter’s purpose is to draw attention to the implication that the predominantly male academic environment has important implications for working conditions and quality of life. In addition, it highlights the impact of the current academic transformation and the affirmation of the neoliberal agenda, emphasizing performativity, excellence, and competition, and the implication in terms of increasing precariousness.

摘要 芭芭拉·波焦（Barbara Poggio）在本行政信函中分享了其担任意大利特伦托大学（University of Trento）平等与多样性副校长的任职经历，着重探讨了学术环境中的性别不对称问题及当前面临的挑战。本文源自2021年6月在加拿大湖首大学（Lakehead University）商学院所作的一场讲座。本信函旨在提请关注这样一种现状：以男性为主导的学术环境会对工作条件与生活质量产生显著影响。此外，本文还着重剖析了当前学术转型与新自由主义议程的影响，强调了绩效导向、卓越追求与竞争机制，并指出其会加剧学术从业者的不稳定处境。