Title

Women’s informal appeals for equity in academia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2005

Abstract

Statistics indicate sex discrimination is still evident in universities. To explore how women informally seek to address these inequities and how their universities respond, a qualitative study was conducted using individual interviews with fourteen students and faculty who filed sex discrimination claims. Results indicated they first engaged in discussions with colleagues and administrators, letter-writing campaigns, and activities documenting the inequities, and that they couched their appeals cautiously to try to avoid retaliation. Although changes sometimes occurred, university responses to these informal appeals were generally characterized by nonresponse, denial of responsibility, or retaliation.

Publication Title

Fifth Biennial International Feminism & Rhetoric(s) Conference

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