The Internet platform Gender-Portal as a tool for

development of gender competence

Eva WegrzynUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Centre for Higher Education and Quality Development

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Outline

1. The university as a complex organisation

2. Three elements of gender competence

3. Complexity of gender knowledge

4. The content of the Gender-Portal

5. Summary and conclusion

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1. The university as a complex organisation

(“expertocracy”)

point of reference: scientific community

We’d like to implement…

No, thanks.

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1.1 The objective of the Gender-Portal

• providing scientific and practical information to the basic issues of gender in academia

access to gender knowledge as an element of gender competence

gender competence may support the implementation of gender mainstreaming

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2. Three elements of gender-competence

1. Intentionmotivation to work towards thegoal of gender equality

2. Abilitypersonal and organisational

3. Knowledge of the cultural and social impact of gender

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3. Complexity of gender knowledge

1. Everyday knowledgeof the man and woman ‘on the street’; little reflected (e.g. universal ‘maternal instinct’) it is more ‘in the body’ than in the mind; enables interaction and a sense of security everybody has it!

2. Scientific knowledgeis determined by the rules of game of the (feminist) scientific community; ‘abstract’ (e.g. constructivist turn); academics strive to detach themselves from everyday knowledge

3. Expert knowledgemediates between everyday knowledge and scientific knowledge; experts need to focus on the context of the ‘customers’ and their needs & are criticised for being obedient to neo-liberal ideas

What types of knowledge does the Gender-Portal provide?

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4. The content of the Gender-Portal

combines scientific knowledge and experts’ knowledge

• Main topicsGender & Teaching; Gender Studies, Gender Mainstreaming; Natural Sciences & Engineering

- findings of Women and Gender Studies- (best-)practice-examples and guidelines for women advancement plans, ‘gender-sensitive’ teaching - commented publication and link lists

• Data & Factsdifferentiated by sex and status

• Gender Publication Platform & Gender University Calendarwhich make ‘home-made’ gender knowledge visible

• Important addresses on campus for service and counselling

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Summary and conclusion

• In universities, the advancement of innovations (GM) is a complicated process, because of the strong base (experts like professors) whose point of reference is rather the scientific community than the home institution.

• Task of the top: stimulate ‘cognitively’ and try to appeal to the intrinsic motivation concerning GM.

• “Gender knowledge” is a key element of gender competence which might help to reflect gendered everyday knowledge

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Thank you very much!