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

Mavin, S

doi:10.1108/978-1-83753-988-820241003

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

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Sharon Mavin ORCiD

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Abstract

This chapter presents a genderwashing critique of UK historic universities. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it conceptualises 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 historic universities are considered alongside women’s experiences of GBV. Using Walter’s (2022) gender wash varieties, university hypocrisy is illustrated by women academic handmaidens; abuse of women in Professional Services; and women standing up to GBV. The chapter contributes ‘Eradicating and Silencing Women’ and ‘Asking the Minority to Fix It’ as gender wash processes, theorising how genderwashing (or genderbleaching) in UK historic universities not only perpetuate the falsehood of practicing equality but also provides a veil to conceal GBV.