Male allyship in institutional STEMM gender equity initiatives

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 18;16(3):e0248373. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248373. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

This article examines men's involvement in an institutional gender equity award scheme and how their self-concept as allies develops over time. It draws specifically on a subset of qualitative data from the four men participating in a study involving in-depth interviews with university staff involved in the self-assessment team of one Australian institution's Science in Australia Gender Equality (SAGE) Athena SWAN pilot. Data related to the men's experiences is the article's focus. Key themes from the data include: 1) men's motivations for engagement; 2) men's self-understandings as 'champions for change' 3) the barriers/risks associated with male championship; and 4) men's evolving perceptions and critiques of the male champions model. Findings show that men demonstrated personal growth and increased awareness through their participation in the pilot. Yet, their frustration with how equity and diversity was managed in their organisational context highlights pitfalls in the concept of a male 'champion'. This article provides timely guidance for institutions seeking to engage allies in gender equity initiatives.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Faculty / psychology
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Gender Equity*
  • Humans
  • Leadership
  • Male
  • Men / psychology*
  • Motivation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Self Concept*
  • Sexism / prevention & control*
  • Social Participation / psychology*
  • Universities / standards

Grants and funding

The author(s) received funding from the University of Tasmania's Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.