Unpacking the discursive construction of gender in higher education : contending approaches and policy silences
Caravaca Hernández, Alejandro (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Teories de l'Educació i Pedagogia Social)

Imprint:	Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2025
Description:	19 pàg.
Abstract:	In this article, I argue for the need to scrutinize policy discourses in education, as they shape which issues are deemed relevant and legitimate, and which are marginalized or omitted. I take the case of Catalonia, where policies promote the introduction of a so-called 'gender perspective' in university teaching as part of a series of gender equality initiatives. Particularly, I unpack the discursive construction of such 'gender perspective', focusing on the inclusions, but also on the tensions and policy silences. Drawing on an analysis of a policy document and semi-structured interviews, I show the complex interplay of contending, yet coexisting approaches to gender equality (including 'equality as sameness', 'difference' and 'transformation'), and discuss the power relations involved in the policymaking processes. A discursive analysis of education policies proves relevant in questioning and critically examining what is frequently presented as a 'neutral' and 'depoliticized' issue, an empty shell, reduced to an unproblematized buzzword.
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Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Género ; Enseñanza ; Educación superior ; Análisis del discurso ; Políticas de educación ; Catalunya ; Gènere ; Ensenyament ; Educació superior ; Anàlisi del discurs ; Polítiques d'educació ; Gender ; Teaching ; Higher education ; Discourse analysis ; Education policy ; SDG 4 - Quality Education ; SDG 5 - Gender Equality
Published in:	Critical Studies in Education, 2025, p. 1-19, ISSN 1750-8495

Available from: 2026-27-08

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