Factors Facilitating the Promotion of Gender Equity in Middle Management Positions in Universities in Portugal: The experience of the CHANGE Project

Abstract

Factors Facilitating the Promotion of Gender Equity in Middle Management Positions in Universities in Portugal: The experience of the CHANGE Project

To promote gender equality, the European Commission (EC), among other initiatives, has been funding action-research projects aimed at implementing gender equality plans in higher education institutions. This paper presents and reflects on the strategy adopted in a Portuguese university, within the scope of an EC funded project – the CHANGE project – to increase the presence of women in middle management positions. The results show the potential of the project to simulate transformative daily practices, capable of triggering an increase in female representation in these positions in a short period of time and without the need for regulatory changes.