Methods for Measuring Gender Diversity Among College and University Faculty

Abstract

We demonstrate how techniques that sociologists and geographers developed to study racial segregation of neighborhoods can provide a means to better evaluate gender equity in higher education. We demonstrate how four dimensions of diversity among the professorate can be calculated. We also discuss how administrators armed with these kinds of information can better evaluate how their institution and departments are fairing over time and in relationship to the larger academic labor market. Administrators can also use these methods to develop a base for comparing their institution to peer and aspirational peer institutions.