A surreal illustration symbolizing the challenges faced by women in academia.

The Gender Accountability Gap: How Neoliberal Universities Perpetuate Inequality

Reese Marlowe in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unmasking the hidden biases in academia and exploring the possibilities for true relational ethics."

For decades, gender inequality in academia has been a persistent issue, often linked to the rise of neoliberal management practices. New Public Management (NPM) has inadvertently created environments where traditional biases are amplified, hindering the progress of women in higher education. This system, driven by market logic, individualism, and competition, often favors masculine norms, making it difficult for women to thrive.

Existing research highlights women's struggle to align with hegemonic academic norms. The pressure to embody masculine traits like individualism and competitiveness places immense strain on female academics. This not only undermines values such as collegiality and collaboration but also demands an 'elastic self'—a chameleon-like adaptability to balance work and life, often at a personal cost.

However, this perspective often overlooks the relational aspect of gendered subjectivities. Drawing on the work of Judith Butler, this article delves into how gendered moral subjects are produced through accountability in neoliberal universities. It examines how these relations, often structured along heterosexual norms, create distinct challenges and possibilities for consent and resistance. By understanding these dynamics, we can begin to address the systemic inequalities that persist in academia.

The Double-Edged Sword of Neoliberal Governance

A surreal illustration symbolizing the challenges faced by women in academia.

Neoliberal governance functions as a double-edged sword, simultaneously creating an increasingly accountable academic subjectivity while also restricting the ability to form a genuinely responsive female subjectivity. The emphasis on institutional accountability requires academics to prioritize institutional demands, often at the expense of relational ethics and personal well-being.

This creates a system where academics are governed by prioritizing institutional accountability, potentially suppressing the possibility of truly responding to others, which is central to a female subjectivity. The power in subjection is deeply connected to one’s sense of morality and humanity.

Individualism and Competition: The promotion of individual achievement over collaboration undermines collegiality and support networks.
Market Logic: The pressure to generate revenue and attract funding can distort research priorities and create a competitive environment.
Elastic Selves: The demand to balance multiple responsibilities leads to constant pressure and a struggle to meet conflicting expectations.

To understand how accountability works in the neoliberal university, researchers conducted a study at a Belgian university, interviewing 40 academics (postdocs, tenure-track, and full professors) across various faculties. The study aimed to uncover which 'fora' (entities to which academics feel accountable) shape the social space of accountabilities and how these dynamics influence gendered performances.

Toward a Relational Ethics in Academia

The findings underscore the need to move beyond individualistic understandings of agency and resistance, recognizing that true change requires a fundamental shift in the ethical framework of academia. By embracing relational ethics, universities can create spaces where generosity, openness, and vulnerability are valued, fostering a more equitable and supportive environment for all academics. Only through such transformation can we hope to dismantle the gender accountability gap and build a truly inclusive academic community.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/gwao.12304, Alternate LINK

Title: Governing Through Accountability: Gendered Moral Selves And The (Im)Possibilities Of Resistance In The Neoliberal University

Subject: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Journal: Gender, Work & Organization

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Marjan De Coster, Patrizia Zanoni

Published: 2018-11-06

Everything You Need To Know

What is the 'gender accountability gap' in the context of neoliberal universities?

The 'gender accountability gap' refers to the systemic inequalities in academia where neoliberal governance creates an environment that hinders women's advancement. This gap arises because of the imposition of masculine norms, individualistic competition, and the demand for 'elastic selves.' These factors often clash with relational ethics, making it difficult for women to thrive and achieve genuine responsive subjectivity within academia. The pressure to prioritize institutional accountability further exacerbates this gap.

How does Neoliberal governance in universities contribute to gender inequality?

Neoliberal governance, particularly through practices like New Public Management (NPM), intensifies gender inequality in universities in several ways. It prioritizes market logic, individualism, and competition, which often favor masculine norms. This system undermines values like collegiality and collaboration while demanding that academics, particularly women, adopt an 'elastic self'. This adaptability is intended to navigate multiple responsibilities, often leading to personal sacrifices. These pressures create environments where traditional biases are amplified.

What are 'elastic selves' and why are they relevant in the context of gender and academia?

'Elastic selves' describe the ability of academics to balance multiple responsibilities, often at a personal cost. In the context of gender and academia, this concept highlights the pressures placed on women to adapt to conflicting expectations. It reflects the demand to be everything to everyone—a successful academic, a supportive colleague, and often, the primary caregiver. This constant juggling act is a symptom of the gender accountability gap, as women are pressured to conform to norms that may undermine their well-being and career advancement.

What is 'relational ethics' and how can it help address gender inequality in universities?

Relational ethics emphasizes the importance of relationships, generosity, openness, and vulnerability within a community. It stands in contrast to the individualistic and competitive environment fostered by neoliberal practices. By embracing relational ethics, universities can create a more equitable and supportive environment where academics, regardless of gender, feel valued and respected. This shift can dismantle the gender accountability gap by valuing collaboration and support networks, promoting a more inclusive academic community.

What role did the study at the Belgian university play in understanding gender dynamics in academia?

The study at the Belgian university, involving interviews with 40 academics, aimed to uncover which 'fora' (entities to which academics feel accountable) shape the social space of accountabilities and how these dynamics influence gendered performances. This research helped to understand how academics, including postdocs, tenure-track, and full professors across various faculties, navigate the demands of institutional accountability. It offered insights into how gendered moral subjects are produced within the context of the neoliberal university, thus providing evidence for the gender accountability gap and the necessity for relational ethics.