Abstract:
Significant disparities between male and female academics exist with respect to remuneration, academic grading and PBRF scores - with women doing less well than men in each of these areas. There exists a range of gender-based distribution and outcome gaps within the university, and between universities and non-university tertiary education organisations. This situation, combined with a devaluing of academic subjects that have feminised knowledge bases, is suggestive of wider structural discrimination against women. In this article individualised explanations for the failure of women to progress are set in the context of a critical exploration of the PBRF evaluation methodology. It is argued that both academia and the PBRF research assessment exercise embody a form of academic masculinity that systematically disadvantages women in general and nursing in particular.