Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Gender Differences on Research: The perceptions and use of academic time

  • Published:
Tertiary Education and Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the last years, the increasing pressure over higher education institutions to promote alternative non-state funding sources has lead to an increasing importance given to research and, more specifically to applied research. The notion that women dedicate less time to research may be seen in the new context, as a prominent threat for women to reach universities top positions. In this article, which draws from an exploratory study case of two public universities in Portugal, we examine whether there are gender differences on perceptions about time dedicated to different academic activities. Findings reveal no significant gender differences in the academics’ perceptions about their work.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amâncio, L. (2005). Reflections on science as a gendered endeavour: Changes and continuities. Social Science Information, 44(1), 65–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amaral, A., Magalhaes, A., & Santiago, R. (2003). The rise of academic managerialism in Portugal. In A. Amaral, V. L. Meek, & I. M. Larsen (Eds.), The higher education managerial revolution? (pp. 131–153). Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Askling, B. (2001). Higher education and academic staff in a period of policy and system change. Higher Education, 41(1–2), 157–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asmar, C. (1999). Is there a gendered agenda in academia? The research experience of female and male PhD graduates in Australian universities. Higher Education, 38(3), 255–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagilhole, B. (2007). Challenging women in the male academy: Think about draining the swamp. In P. Cotterill, S. Jackson, & G. Letherby (Eds.), Challenges and negotiations for women in higher education (pp. 21–32). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, E. (2001). To be or not to be: A lecture in higher education in Sweden. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 21(11/12), 57–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, E., Barry, J., & Chandler, J. (2004). The new public management and higher education: A human cost? In J. Barry, J. Chandler, & M. Dent (Eds.), Questioning the new public management (pp. 161–175). Aldershot: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaxter, L., Hughes, C., & Tight, M. (1998). Writing on academic careers. Studies in Higher Education, 23(3), 281–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho, I., & Santiago, R. (2006). Academics in a new work environment: The impact of new public management on work conditions. Paper presented at the Society for Research into Higher Education Annual Conference, 12–14 December, Brighton, Sussex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conley, V. (2005). Career paths for women faculty: Evidence from NSOPF: 99. New Direction for Higher Education, 2005(130), 25–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corley, E. (2005). How do career strategies, gender and work environment affect faculty productivity levels in university-based science centres? Review of Policy Research, 22(5), 637–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corley, E., & Gaughan, M. (2005). Scientists’ participation in university research centres: What are the gender differences? Journal of Technology Transfer, 30(4), 371–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotterill, P., Jackson, S., & Letherby, G. (2007). Introduction: Conceptualising challenges and negotiations for women in higher education. In P. Cotterill, S. Jackson, & G. Letherby (Eds.), Challenges and negotiations for women in higher education (pp. 15–20). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deem, R. (2003). Managing to exclude? Manager-academic and staff communities in contemporary UK universities. In M. Tight (Ed.), International perspectives on higher education research: Access and inclusion (pp. 103–125). London: Elsevier Science JAI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halsey, A. (1995). Decline of donnish dominion. Oxford: Clarendon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harley, S. (2003). Research selectivity and female academics in UK universities: From gentleman’s club and barrack yard to smart macho? Gender and Education, 15(4), 377–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krais, B. (2002). Academia as a profession and the hierarchy of the sexes: Paths out of research in German universities. Higher Education Quarterly, 56(4), 407–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyvik, S., & Teigen, M. (1996). Child care, research collaboration and gender differences in scientific productivity. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 21(1), 54–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafferty, G., & Fleming, J. (2000). The restructuring of academic work in Australia: Power, management and gender. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 21(2), 257–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morley, L. (2005). Opportunity or exploitation? Women and quality assurance in higher education. Gender and Education, 17(4), 411–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakhaie, R. (2002). Gender differences in publication among university professors in Canada. Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, 39(2), 151–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • OCES. (2004). O sistema de ensino superior em Portugal: 1993–2003. Lisboa: MCIES.

    Google Scholar 

  • OCES. (2005a). Evoluçâo da qualificaçâo do pessoal docente no ensino superior universitârio publico: 1993–2004. Lisboa: MCTES.

    Google Scholar 

  • OCES. (2005b). Evoluçâo por categorias do pessoal docente do ensino superior politécnico publico: 1993–2004. Lisboa: MCTES.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Laughlin, E., & Bischoff, L. (2005). Balancing parenthood and academia: Work/family stress as influenced by gender and tenure status. Journal of Family Issues, 26(1), 79–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, D., Maple, S., & Stage, F. (1995) Women and minority job satisfaction. Journal of Higher Education, 66(3), 267–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olssen, M., & Peters, M. (2005). Neoliberalism, higher education and the knowledge economy: From the free market to knowledge capitalism. Journal of Education Policy, 20(3), 313–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perna, L. (2005). Sex differences in faculty tenure and promotion: The contribution of family ties. Research in Higher Education, 46(3), 277–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poole, M., Bornholt, L., & Summers, F. (1997). An international study of the gendered nature of academic work: Some cross-cultural explorations. Higher Education, 34(3), 373–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poole, M., & Langan-Fox, J. (1997). Australian women and careers: Psychological and contextual influences over the life course. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, T. (2001). Mainstreaming gender equality in science in the European union: The ‘ETAN report’. Gender and Education, 13(3), 243–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothausen-Vange, T., Marler, J., & Wright, P. (2005). Research productivity, gender, family, and tenure in organization science careers. Sex Roles, 53(9/10), 727–738.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruth, D. (2005). Gender and perceptions of academic work in South Africa. Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 3(3), 57–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sagaria, M., & Agans, L. (2006). Gender equality in US higher education: International framing and institutional realities. Higashi-Hiroshima City: Research Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santiago, R., & Carvalho, T. (2004). Effects of managerialism on the perceptions of higher education in Portugal. Higher Education Policy, 17(4), 427–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santiago, R., & Carvalho, T. (2008). Academics in a new work environment: The impact of new public management on work conditions. Higher Education Quarterly, 62(3), 204–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santiago, R., Carvalho, T., Amaral, A., & Meek, L. (2006). Changing patterns in the middle management of higher education institutions: The case of Portugal. Higher Education, 52(2), 215–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunderson, W. (2002). Women, academia and identity: Constructions of equal opportunities in the ‘new managerialism’—A case of lipstick on the gorilla? Higher Education Quarterly, 56(4), 376–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sax, L., Hagerdon, L., Arredondo, M., & Dicrisi, F., III. (2002). Faculty research productivity: Exploring the role of gender and family related factors. Research in Higher Education, 43(4), 423–632.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slaughter, S., & Leslie, L. (1997). Academic capitalism: Politics, policies and the entrepreneurial university. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smeby, J., & Try, S. (2005). Departmental contexts and faculty research activity in Norway. Research in Higher Education, 46(6), 593–619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toren, N. (1993). The temporal dimension of gender inequality in academia. Higher Education, 25(4), 439–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, B. (2001). Polish women in science: A bibliometric analysis of Polish science and its publications, 1980–1999. Research Evaluation, 10(3), 185–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wynarczyk, P., & Renner, C. (2006). The ‘gender gap’ in the scientific labour market: The case of science, engineering and technology-based SMEs in the UK. Equal Opportunities International, 25(8), 660–673.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ylijoki, O. (2005). Academic nostalgia: A narrative approach to academic work. Human Relations, 58(5), 555–576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ylijoki, O., & Mäntylä, H. (2003). Conflicting time perspectives in academic work. Time & Society, 12(1), 55–78.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIPES and University of Aveiro, Rua 1° de Dezembro, n° 399, 4450-227, Matosinhos, Portugal

    Teresa Carvalho & Rui Santiago

Authors
  1. Teresa Carvalho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rui Santiago
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Teresa Carvalho.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carvalho, T., Santiago, R. Gender Differences on Research: The perceptions and use of academic time. Tert Educ Manag 14, 317–330 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1080/13583880802485311

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13583880802485311

Search

Navigation