The research, led by Nanna Mik-Meyer and Margaretha Järvinen, delves into the unequal distribution of service work between men and women in academic settings.
Despite familiarity with gender imbalances, the study’s findings surprised even the researchers themselves. Through 163 interviews with associate professors and professors in Denmark, the research uncovered a stark reality: women tend to shoulder the majority of internal service tasks, while men navigate away from such responsibilities.
The study identifies four key approaches to handling service work:
- Compliance
- Evasiveness,
- Barter, and
- Investment.
Interestingly, men are more strategic in their approach, often prioritizing tasks that directly benefit their careers, while women tend to fulfill expectations and invest in the hope of future academic returns.
Notably, while women dominate internal service roles, the balance shifts when it comes to external service activities. Here, men and women engage equally, often viewing such tasks as beneficial for career advancement.
The study prompts critical questions about gender dynamics within academia and the impact on career trajectories. It raises awareness of the challenges women face in navigating both internal and external service obligations while striving for academic success.