UCU: The gender promotion gap in higher education

Motion

Motion text: Conference notes:
Identifying women in Higher Education (HE) are underrepresented in professoriate and leadership roles. Progression is hindered by structural barriers, including unconscious bias, caring responsibilities, lack of mentorship, and opaque promotion processes. They are less likely to be encouraged to apply for promotion and experience greater scrutiny in research outputs and leadership evaluation. Equality intersections compound this. Job insecurity disproportionately limits promotion.
Conference resolves to:
1. Demand accountability from HE institutions through gender equity audits, pay gap reports, and supportive pathways to senior roles.
2. Advocate for fairer evaluation metrics that recognise the full spectrum of academic contributions, including teaching, pastoral care, and service roles.
3. Strengthen mentorship and sponsorship programs that actively support women’s progression,
especially in returning from career breaks.
4. Mobilise branches to collectively hold institutions accountable for addressing gender disparities, and campaign for binding sector-wide agreements on equitable career progression, and mandatory gender equity training.