From Tolerance to Transformation: Unraveling the Impact of Organizational Culture and Policies on Addressing Gaslighting in Academia

Abstract

This paper explored gaslighting in academia, focusing on its impact on women's career development and leadership experiences. Using feminist and critical race theories, the study examined how organizational culture, mentorship, networks, and policies supported or hindered women's academic careers. An inter-sectional perspective revealed how race, ethnicity, and disability intersected with gender to shape women's experiences in academic leadership. The paper analyzed how gaslighting operated in academia and the various forms it took. It also examined strategies for institutions and individuals to challenge gaslighting and promote a culture of equity and respect. Drawing inspiration from Kate Elizabeth Russell's My Dark Vanessa and Zoë Heller's Notes on a Scandal, the research offered insights into psychological manipulation, gender dynamics, and power relations within the academic sphere. Keywords: Gaslighting, Organizational Culture, Academia, Women, Leadership, Psychological Manipulation, Feminist theory, Critical Race Theory