Individual and institutional reflexivity - a mutual basis for reducing gender bias in unquestioned practices

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse specific guidelines to increase transparency and reduce gender bias in appointment procedures for full professors at Austrian universities. The focus lies on situations where existing regulations are accepted and implemented but gendered practices remain unchanged. The analysis is based on a praxeological approach which allows us to deconstruct practices into two parts: one that follows the logic of the discipline and one that follows an organisational-based logic. We contend that a change of traditional practices is possible when these parts are congruent. We argue that reflexivity - at institutional as well as individual level - supports the linking of both parts to achieve concurrence. As a consequence, elements which initiate reflexivity have to be part of policy development.