Feminist Academics Strategically Playing Offense/Defense in Pursue of Academic and Societal Change

ABSTRACT

In this intimate-insider study on feminist activists in Icelandic academia we build on Hark’s theoretical concept of the precarious precondition for change. We unpack the concept and apply it to our own research, revealing how feminist scholars dissent to the masculinized neoliberal academic game in pursue of creating change. The findings reveal how the women play their own offence/defence game within the established rules of the academic game. They utilize strategies, both inside and outside of the academia, to guard their discipline, create a ripple effect and handle and control criticism. Moreover, the findings point to the internalized and individuated nature of feminist activism in this setting and the emotional and socio-political costs it entails. Without game plan and accompanying strategies chances for feminist success and change are slim, as there is the constant threat of becoming absorbed or wiped out by the ruling neoliberal game and male biased system.

KEYWORDS:

• Precarious precondition for change
• strategies
• neoliberal academic environment
• feminism
• activism

Acknowledgments

We are using multiple ‘first’ authors practice in this study. Both authors have contributed equally to the ideas of the paper, design of the study, data collection and analysis, writings, and the discussion. We thank our interviewees for their valuable contributions. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their well crafted feedback and constructive comments.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thamar Melanie Heijstra

Thamar Melanie Heijstra is a Professor in Sociology at the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics at the University of Iceland. Her main areas of expertise are organizational culture, work conditions, work-family balance, well-being and gender relations.

Gyða Margrét Pétursdóttir

Gyða Margrét Pétursdóttir is a Professor in Gender Studies at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Iceland. Her main areas of expertise are femininities, masculinities, gender relations, gender-based violence, work cultures, higher education, and family responsibility. She is a member of the board of Stígamót, Education and Counseling Center for Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Violence.