A question for Christa Nater
How does a university attract more women to professorships?
It is well researched that “masculine standards” in organizational cultures make it difficult for women to succeed professionally - even at universities. Christa Nater from the Institute of Psychology knows what to do about it.
The often hidden but influential "masculine standards" view stereotypical masculine characteristics such as dominance or assertiveness as normal and necessary. They can be found in promotion criteria, interpersonal interactions and individual beliefs.
When masculine standards are emphasized in job advertisements, women are less likely to apply and, if they do, experience more stress in job interviews.
Everyone at a university can contribute to breaking down masculine standards, and the first step is to become aware of them. Getting rid of them is a promising way of attracting more women to professorships. At the same time, it is necessary to tackle structural challenges such as reconciling work and family life across society as a whole.
About the person
Dr. Christa Nater
is a postdoctoral researcher in social neuroscience and social psychology at the Institute of Psychology. She conducts research and teaches about the origins and consequences of gender stereotypes and prejudices in the world of work and society.
Magazine uniFOKUS
Women in Science
This article first appeared in uniFOKUS, the University of Bern print magazine. Four times a year, uniFOKUS focuses on one specialist area from different points of view. Current focus topic: Women in Science
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