When You Put it that Way: Framing Gender Equality Initiatives to Improve Engagement among STEM Academics

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Abstract

A number of high-profile Gender Equality Initiatives (GEIs) aim to address women’s underrepresentation in science. However, attitudes towards such initiatives can be negative. Two experiments with STEM academics examined how GEIs can be best framed to improve attitudes towards them. Study 1 (N=113) manipulated the framing of GEI leadership (led by a man or woman) and GEI focus (benefitting men and women, or women only). Men were more supportive of GEIs benefitting both men and women due to fewer concerns of unfair treatment and more internal motivations to engage with GEIs. Women’s level of support was unaffected by framing. Study 2 (N=151) framed GEIs as either supported by university management or not, and either internally or externally driven. Support was greater for internally driven GEIs. The impact of management support depended on academics’ experience with GEIs. This research makes evidence-based recommendations for the implementation of GEIs to improve their effectiveness. 
Original languageEnglish
Article numberbiaa136
Pages (from-to)292
Number of pages13
JournalBioScience
Volume71
Issue number3
Early online date02 Dec 2020
DOIs
Publication statusEarly online date - 02 Dec 2020

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