Institutional structures and strategies for gender equality in Brazilian universities

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54674/ess.v37i2.1030
Keywords: Educational administration, universities, women scientists, discrimination, Brazil

Abstract

Institutional transformation to promote gender equality in academic careers is a topic of significant international relevance, yet it remains under explored in Brazil. This study analysed institutional structures and strategies adopted to promote equality in four Brazilian public universities. It involved interviews with administrators and gender activists, as well as analysis of university documents and data. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening institutional culture to structure initiatives within universities and to build consensus among academics. Democratic participation and joint action with regulatory bodies, funding agencies, and other institutions are seen as key elements in fostering this transformation. Topics such as motherhood, parenthood, caregiving, gender-based violence and harassment, and career-related inequalities emerge as central to promote development. Additionally, the study reveals challenges reported by interviewees, including conservative and meritocratic views that underpin covert resistance within academic environment.

Author Biographies

Daniela Atães, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

She holds a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Policy from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp—2025), the same program in which she earned her master’s degree (2021). She also holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration (2018) and International Trade Management (2017) from Unicamp. She supplemented her studies with an exchange program at the National Research University, Higher School of Economics, in Moscow, Russia, in 2015.

Ana Maria Carneiro, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

She holds a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Policy from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp – 2007), a Master’s degree in Sociology from Unicamp (2000), and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the Federal University of Goiás (1997). She holds a postdoctoral degree in STI Evaluation (Unicamp, 2009) and in Higher Education (University of California, Berkeley, 2016). She is currently the Coordinator of the Center for Public Policy Studies (NEPP/Unicamp), where she has served as a Pq Career Researcher since 2010. She is also a Tenured Professor in the Graduate Program in Science and Technology Policy (DPCT/IG/Unicamp) and Associate Coordinator of the Laboratory for Studies on the Organization of Research and Innovation (LabGEOPI/DPCT/IG/Unicamp).

Published
2026-05-30
How to Cite
Atães, D., & Carneiro, A. M. (2026). Institutional structures and strategies for gender equality in Brazilian universities. Higher Education and Society Journal (ESS), 37(2), 463-480. https://doi.org/10.54674/ess.v37i2.1030
Issue
Vol 37 No 2 (2025): Artificial Generative Intelligence (GenAI) in teaching and research: best practices, challenges, and prospects
Section
General section articles

Copyright (c) 2025 Daniela Atães & Ana Maria Carneiro

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