Genderwashing (or Genderbleaching) in UK Historic Universities: A Veil for Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

This chapter presents a genderwashing critique of UK historic universities. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it conceptualizes genderwashing and gender-based violence (GBV). Underpinned by feminist subjectivity, raising consciousness to women's situated lived experiences, examples of public declarations of gender equality by UK historic universities are considered alongside women's experiences of GBV. Using Walter's (2022) genderwash varieties, university hypocrisy is illustrated by women academic handmaidens, abuse of women in Professional Services, and women standing up to GBV. This chapter contributes “Eradicating and Silencing Women’”and “Asking the Minority to Fix It” as genderwash processes, theorizing how genderwashing (or genderbleaching) in historic universities not only perpetuates the falsehood of practicing equality but also provides a veil to conceal GBV.

Citation

Mavin, S. (2024), "Genderwashing (or Genderbleaching) in UK Historic Universities: A Veil for Gender-Based Violence", Gardiner, R.A., Fox-Kirk, W., Elliott, C.J. and Stead, V. (Ed.) Genderwashing in Leadership (Transformative Women Leaders), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 15-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-988-820241003