Gender differences in work trajectories in research and academia from a holistic perspective: neoliberal reforms as a new form of gendered barrier

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impacts of neoliberal reforms of the academic environment on gender inequalities in academic careers. It uses an original quantitative holistic view on gender specifics in academic career paths across generations, research fields and institution types.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on the data from the representative questionnaire survey among academics and researchers at public universities and research institutes in the Czech Republic. The analysis draws on sequence analysis, a quantitative life-history method.FindingsThe study suggests that neoliberal reforms reinforce gender inequalities in academic careers by the pressure on their standardisation and acceleration. It shows that the academic careers of men and women are becoming more and more similar across research fields. It implies greater pressure on women to conform to the masculine norm of an uninterrupted progressive career because other career types identified among older women academics are less accessible for the younger generation.Practical implicationsGreater flexibility of promotion and tenure criteria using care-sensitive academic evaluations have to be promoted. Work benefits and rights must be available to all employees regardless of their workload and position. Much greater transparency in promotion and recruitment processes is needed to eliminate the role of informal power relationships and micro-politics practices.Originality/valueThe study maps the academic careers of women and men by applying quantitative comparative and holistic perspectives based on the life course approach. This distinguishes it from most studies on gender inequality in academia which focus on academics in particular career stages and/or in a particular academic environment or field.