AS Sarah Pedersen has risen through the ranks of academia from humble tutor to professor the number of women at the meetings and conferences she attends has declined noticeably.
Now professor of communication and media at Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen, the lack of senior female colleagues in other UK institutions is one of the clearest signs of the lack of progress on gender equality.
“Women professors at most conferences are still in the minority. You look around and it is very noticeable,” she said.
“As you move up the ladder the meetings that you are at are increasingly male dominated. You get used to it, but sometimes you do feel like you are the minority voice.”
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The other concern associated with this trend is the attitudes of some male academics to her presence.
Ms Pedersen said: “Sometimes I can be seen as someone who is going to give a woman’s perspective on an issue, rather than just as an expert.”
In terms of progress, she believes flexible working practices are key as well as greater understanding of the dual role of many women in pursuing a career and being the primary carer - she completed her Phd while on maternity leave.
And the most significant support she has received was from fellow female academics. “Role models are essential. If it was not for a few woman professors who took the time to support me I would not be where I am now,” she said.
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