“You Are Seen; You Matter:” Applying the Theory of Gendered Organizations to Equity and Inclusion for Motherscholars in Higher Education

Abstract

This international study examined how to support equity and inclusion for 18 mothers in academia (“motherscholars”). Applying Acker’s theory of gendered organizations as a framework for the study, we recruited participants from Facebook groups for women and mothers in higher education across disciplines and nine countries. To attend to the needs of participants, we employed principles of rigid flexibility, such as adjusting data collection to allow for texting as a form of interviewing. Thematic analysis coupled with researcher arts-based sketches led to identifying critical supports and obstacles for motherscholars, including mentoring and financial opportunities, institutional resources for families, open communication about families, and experiences of bias and isolation. Recommendations for practice, policy, and further research are included.