Academic women’s status studied

Press, 27 September 1986, Page 25

Academic women’s status studied

PA Wellington The increasing number of academic women in universities has been concentrated largely in lower status positions, says a report commissioned by the Association of University Teachers.

Women in universities were concentrated at the lower end of full-time academic hierarchy and were over-represented in part-time and non-tenured positions, the report said. Researched by an Auckland University law lecturer and Labour Party president, Ms Margaret Wilson, the report said women were more likely to work in the arts and social science faculties than in other departments. It was more common, therefore, for women than men to work in areas where they formed a minority of the staff. The report, the result of a survey of all academic

women in 1984, said that in general more female than male academics came from families where their parents were highly qualified. "Perhaps this reflects the notion that an academic career has not been seen as an option for women in the past,” it said.

The reasons for interruptions to study differed greatly between men and women. For instance, 20 per cent of women’s interruptions were for marriage or family responsibilities but no men cited this reason.

There was little difference, however, in the success rates for promotion of men and women, although women were less optimistic about their chances of promotion within the next five years. The report said there was over-all support from both sexes for change within the existing system.