Misdirected Backlash: The Evolving Nature of Academia and the Status of Women in Political Science

Abstract

The backlash remarkets old myths about women as new facts and ignores all appeals to reason.-Susan Faludi (1991, xxii

Gender and the Editorial Process:World Politics, 2007–2017

“…In 2014, women were 40, 39, 33, and 23% of graduate students, assistant, associate, and full professors, respectively. 2014 data come from Teele and Thelen (2017, 436), based on APSA membership by rank; data on PhDs awarded come from Brandes et al (2001); other faculty data come from Sarkees and McGlen (1999), who draw on APSA annual surveys of political science departments. For further discussion and data on women's representation in the discipline, see APSA (2005), Shames (2010), and Gruberg (2009).…”

Gender, Diversity, and Methods in Political Science: A Theory of Selection and Survival Biases

“…The effects of this as a contextual factor may or may not affect any given woman in the profession, but many or even most ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... have at some point felt like outsiders due to gender (a feeling that is exacerbated for women of color). However, speaking up about this feeling risks further discomfort and sometimes outright hostility (Sarkees and McGlen 1999; see also Mansbridge and Shames 2008), which heightens the feeling of difference. The graduate women we know who are uncomfortable have three main strategies for addressing this feeling: (1) keep your head down and do not make waves, even if occasional sexism or bias feels "icky" (i.e., the "try-to-fit-in" model); (2) stay away from the department or certain people within it, dissertate elsewhere, and only speak to or work with a few people you can trust (i.e., the "avoidance" model); and (3) speak out loudly, risking backlash and possible problems finding jobs, funding, and other perks, in the hope of collective action solving a collective problem (i.e., our model).…”

“…Push factors in political science include the effects from subtle and not-so-subtle discrimination; sexual harassment; bullying and backlash (Sarkees and McGlen 1999); and even simply not being comfortable in a workshop, class, cohort, or department. In doing research for this article, we collected numerous examples of experiences like Tamara's from women in political science in graduate school as well as in both junior and senior positions in the field.…”

Expectant and Nursing Academics: The Interview Experience of Moms in Political Science

“…The literature is replete with academic studies and reports about the challenges that women face in the academy (Ackelsberg et al 2004;Assendelft et al 2003;Brandes et al 2001; Committee on the Status of Women 1992; Hesli and Burrell 1995;Mason and Goulden 2002;Sarkees and McGlen 1999;Stetson et al 1990;Tolleson-Rinehart and Carroll 2006), but the collision between the two is perhaps most notable and noticeable in the interview process, one of the most important, necessary, and stressful first steps in an academic career. In principle, candidates and departments size each other up as they look for the best fit.…”

“…T he challenges that women face in the academyand in political science-are well documented in studies that examine the pipeline, faculty recruitment, retention, publication rates, tenure, promotion, earnings, service responsibilities, and worklife balance (Ackelsberg et al 2004;Assendelft et al 2003;Brandes et al 2001; Committee on the Status of Women 1992; Hesli and Burrell 1995;Mason and Goulden 2002;Sarkees and McGlen 1999;Stetson et al 1990;Tolleson-Rinehart and Carroll 2006). Missing from the discussion, however, is the challenge of the interview process, a critical step for those in pursuit of an academic position and one that imposes some unique obstacles for women who are pregnant or nursing.…”