'Gender and Sexuality: The Discursive Limits of 'Equality in Higher Education'

The 'Gender and Sexuality: The Discursive Limits of 'Equality in Higher Education' seminar series (University of Birmingham, Spring-Summer 2009) investigated a number of areas of concern, regarding gender and sexuality, which are identifiable in the current British higher education environment. The series explored how current dominant ‘neoliberal’ discourses, which emphasise the commodification of higher education in the UK, function to set limits upon ‘equality’. Ironically, while these discourses often suggest a widening of opportunities within higher education with an emphasis upon unlimited individual freedom and choice, the lived experience can be rather different for women and sexual minorities. The seminar series explored the impact such discourses are having upon gender and sexuality identities and practices in the academy. The aims of the seminar series were:

To identify the characteristics of neoliberal discourse and its influence in the UK academy
To identify effects which impact on women, sexual minorities and gender/sexuality scholarship
To examine effects of on constituencies of scholars who are marginalised by neoliberal discourse
To examine patterns of fiscal loss or reward as a result of neoliberal strategies of HEI management and planning

There was an Introductory session followed by three seminars in the series - invited keynote speakers were Mary Evans (University of Kent), Richard Johnson and Joyce Canaan (University of Birmingham). Each seminar consisted of a presentation by the keynote speaker followed by a group discussion.