Gender based discrimination affects learning outcomes in higher education

Abstract

Inequality in the teaching environment of a university can be harmful to students and employees. Our aim is to, through a review of scientific literature, highlight the effects of discrimination based on gender in higher education. Our search is restricted to data from Europe and special focus is given to the Swedish framework which is guided by the Discrimination Act. We also specifically discuss the strategies employed by Lund University to mitigate inequality as this is the workplace of the authors. We found that awareness and parity of recruitment have been the most concrete actions, especially in Europe. Our own university presents strategic plans and goals towards a more gender equal seat of education, yet we noted a lack of well-defined strategies to accomplish such. Furthermore, protocols need to be established and constantly evaluated to guide the actions against discrimination. Preventive work, such as implementing mandatory courses and workshops about equality for professors, staff and students could be a good solution to this recurrent problem.