Jolien Voorspoels | Universiteit Antwerpen (original) (raw)

Papers by Jolien Voorspoels

Research paper thumbnail of “In our department there is absolutely no discrimination of women or others.” Staff Attitudes on Gender Quotas in a Belgian University (DiGeSt 5(1), 2018)

Though gender quotas are one of the policy measures used to address persistent gender inequality ... more Though gender quotas are one of the policy measures used to address persistent gender inequality in academia, empirical studies on staff attitudes towards academic gender quotas are rare. In this case study of a Belgian university, I examine how the attitude towards gender quotas in decision-making bodies can be explained by attitudes towards gender equality and diversity policies. Using a 2014 survey of 469 academic and administrative staff members, I analyze their attitudes and sociodemographic variables through ordinal logistic regression models. The findings show that resistance towards gender quotas as a policy measure can be understood through respondents’ gender stereotypes and the denial of gender inequality in contemporary society. Furthermore, women and respondents who supported diversity policies were more likely to support gender quotas. Additionally, women assistants, humanities and social sciences staff and other/external staff were also more likely to be supporters. The results imply that enhanced explicit communication on gender inequality, in academia and beyond, could enhance the implementation success of gender quotas.

Research paper thumbnail of Universiteit, steek de hand in eigen boezem : misverstanden rond genderongelijkheid

(Dutch) First author: Petra Meier Despite attention to gender inequality in academia in Belgium,... more (Dutch) First author: Petra Meier

Despite attention to gender inequality in academia in Belgium, the measures focus disproportionally on the individual and not enough on the institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of EGERA Report on the pilot study on gender culture in academia and guidelines

Building gender friendly work environments is the core message of work package 3 wherein the gend... more Building gender friendly work environments is the core message of work package 3 wherein the gender equality culture surveys takes on a prominent role. The pilot survey has been carried out at first at University of Antwerp in October/November 2014. The first results are presented in this report.

Research paper thumbnail of Analyse van ouderschapsverlof voor vaders in de publieke sector. Academische vaders aan de Universiteit Gent.

Research paper thumbnail of Zij zijn de oorsprong en oerbron van al wat burgerschap is. Vrouwenstemrecht in het Belgische parlement, 1886-1948: een discoursanalyse.

Ondergetekende, Jolien Voorspoels, afgestudeerd als master in de Geschiedenis aan Universiteit Ge... more Ondergetekende, Jolien Voorspoels, afgestudeerd als master in de Geschiedenis aan Universiteit Gent in het academiejaar 2011-2012 en auteur van de scriptie met als titel:

Other by Jolien Voorspoels

Research paper thumbnail of EGERA Recommendations to prevent and fight sexual harassment in academia

In addressing gender inequality within academia, research acknowledges the role of organizational... more In addressing gender inequality within academia, research acknowledges the role of organizational practices and cultures that reproduce gender bias, stereotypes, and covert barriers to women's academic careers. One such discriminatory practice in academic institutions is subtle and often hidden: sexual harassment. The fact that sexual harassment remains often hidden has also challenged researchers in search of representative data. Sexual harassment is often not a priority or even thought to be an issue, which makes fighting it especially difficult. Finally, if academic institutions are also educational bodies, students and their study environments need to be considered in the analysis of sexual harassment.

Fighting sexual harassment should therefore be an essential part of well-bing policies and, by extension of policies menat to create a gender-friendly work environment or to foster gender equality within academia. In turn, fostering a gender-equality culture within the institution can also contribute to fighting sexual harassment.

Research paper thumbnail of EGERA Antwerp Charter on Gender-Sensitive communication in and by academic institutions

Author: Corine Van Hellemont One important reason for segregation in academic institutions, is p... more Author: Corine Van Hellemont

One important reason for segregation in academic institutions, is people's repeated exposure to pervasive cultural stereotypes that portray women as less competent for, and dedicated to, an academic and/or professional career. Such unconscious gender-based assumptions may be reflected in language (oral, written or visual) and unintentionally cause offence, giving rise to a non-supportive environment. As a consequence, it is understood that communication in and by academic institutions plays an important role in the persistence or annihilation of such gender-based assumptions and stereotypes, constituting thresholds or advancements for women in academia.

This Charter therefore aims to raise the awareness of, and sensitivity to, these issues by providing suggestions for the elimination of bias from all communication, thus creating a supportive and inclusive academic institutional Environment for all.

Books by Jolien Voorspoels

Research paper thumbnail of Beyond controversy: gender-quota implementation in academic decision-making bodies

Research paper thumbnail of “In our department there is absolutely no discrimination of women or others.” Staff Attitudes on Gender Quotas in a Belgian University (DiGeSt 5(1), 2018)

Though gender quotas are one of the policy measures used to address persistent gender inequality ... more Though gender quotas are one of the policy measures used to address persistent gender inequality in academia, empirical studies on staff attitudes towards academic gender quotas are rare. In this case study of a Belgian university, I examine how the attitude towards gender quotas in decision-making bodies can be explained by attitudes towards gender equality and diversity policies. Using a 2014 survey of 469 academic and administrative staff members, I analyze their attitudes and sociodemographic variables through ordinal logistic regression models. The findings show that resistance towards gender quotas as a policy measure can be understood through respondents’ gender stereotypes and the denial of gender inequality in contemporary society. Furthermore, women and respondents who supported diversity policies were more likely to support gender quotas. Additionally, women assistants, humanities and social sciences staff and other/external staff were also more likely to be supporters. The results imply that enhanced explicit communication on gender inequality, in academia and beyond, could enhance the implementation success of gender quotas.

Research paper thumbnail of Universiteit, steek de hand in eigen boezem : misverstanden rond genderongelijkheid

(Dutch) First author: Petra Meier Despite attention to gender inequality in academia in Belgium,... more (Dutch) First author: Petra Meier

Despite attention to gender inequality in academia in Belgium, the measures focus disproportionally on the individual and not enough on the institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of EGERA Report on the pilot study on gender culture in academia and guidelines

Building gender friendly work environments is the core message of work package 3 wherein the gend... more Building gender friendly work environments is the core message of work package 3 wherein the gender equality culture surveys takes on a prominent role. The pilot survey has been carried out at first at University of Antwerp in October/November 2014. The first results are presented in this report.

Research paper thumbnail of Analyse van ouderschapsverlof voor vaders in de publieke sector. Academische vaders aan de Universiteit Gent.

Research paper thumbnail of Zij zijn de oorsprong en oerbron van al wat burgerschap is. Vrouwenstemrecht in het Belgische parlement, 1886-1948: een discoursanalyse.

Ondergetekende, Jolien Voorspoels, afgestudeerd als master in de Geschiedenis aan Universiteit Ge... more Ondergetekende, Jolien Voorspoels, afgestudeerd als master in de Geschiedenis aan Universiteit Gent in het academiejaar 2011-2012 en auteur van de scriptie met als titel:

Research paper thumbnail of EGERA Recommendations to prevent and fight sexual harassment in academia

In addressing gender inequality within academia, research acknowledges the role of organizational... more In addressing gender inequality within academia, research acknowledges the role of organizational practices and cultures that reproduce gender bias, stereotypes, and covert barriers to women's academic careers. One such discriminatory practice in academic institutions is subtle and often hidden: sexual harassment. The fact that sexual harassment remains often hidden has also challenged researchers in search of representative data. Sexual harassment is often not a priority or even thought to be an issue, which makes fighting it especially difficult. Finally, if academic institutions are also educational bodies, students and their study environments need to be considered in the analysis of sexual harassment.

Fighting sexual harassment should therefore be an essential part of well-bing policies and, by extension of policies menat to create a gender-friendly work environment or to foster gender equality within academia. In turn, fostering a gender-equality culture within the institution can also contribute to fighting sexual harassment.

Research paper thumbnail of EGERA Antwerp Charter on Gender-Sensitive communication in and by academic institutions

Author: Corine Van Hellemont One important reason for segregation in academic institutions, is p... more Author: Corine Van Hellemont

One important reason for segregation in academic institutions, is people's repeated exposure to pervasive cultural stereotypes that portray women as less competent for, and dedicated to, an academic and/or professional career. Such unconscious gender-based assumptions may be reflected in language (oral, written or visual) and unintentionally cause offence, giving rise to a non-supportive environment. As a consequence, it is understood that communication in and by academic institutions plays an important role in the persistence or annihilation of such gender-based assumptions and stereotypes, constituting thresholds or advancements for women in academia.

This Charter therefore aims to raise the awareness of, and sensitivity to, these issues by providing suggestions for the elimination of bias from all communication, thus creating a supportive and inclusive academic institutional Environment for all.