When faith intersects with gender: the challenges and successes in the experiences of Muslim women academics

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the experiences of eight Muslim women academics (MWA) within a range of sciences and humanities disciplines. The data draws from my doctoral study which examined the experiences of men and women Muslim academics at UK universities. Findings from in-depth interviews with participants highlight the intersectionality of religio-gendered identities as central to their experiences. Being hijabed in academia triggered gendered-Islamophobic micro-aggressions, whose potential impact on the participants was buffered by their resilience, positive outlook, and belief. Further, they capitalized on their visible faith to demystify negative perceptions about Muslims and to advance their career-through utilizing the diversity logic within academia, while recognizing its tokenistic nature. Despite facing challenges, the participants share certain qualities that facilitate success, with agency being the uppermost quality.

KEYWORDS:

• Hijab(ed)
• Muslim women academics
• micro-aggression
• Islamophobic micro-aggressions
• agency

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 (non)-verbal exchanges through which the aggressor slights the victim on grounds of one or more identity aspect, e.g. gender (Espinoza 1990).

2 Imparting the message of Islam to non-Muslims.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University of Edinburgh, Principlan Career Development (PhD) Scholarship, and Council of At Risk Academics.

Notes on contributors

Ibtihal Ramadan

Ibtihal Ramadan is a CARA Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Edinburgh.