'Stop making it such a big issue': Perceptions and experiences of gender inequality by undergraduates at a British University

This paper focuses on the experiences and perceptions of gender inequality by undergraduates at a British University with strong historical traditions. Contrary to a 'post-feminist' rhetoric stating that gender inequalities no longer exist in higher education in the UK, or at least not at an undergraduate level, results of a questionnaire and interviews show that gender inequality does still persist in this institutional setting. However, we also found reluctance among students, particularly female students, to recognise or articulate this as discrimination. Instead, there was a tendency to downplay or deny such inequalities, and resistance to such matters being raised. Drawing on existing literature in the field, we suggest this might be a 'coping mechanism', as well as indicative of the 'post-feminist' milieu. The paper then reflects on the implications of these findings, particularly for those seeking to address gender inequalities in such an institutional environment. Drawing on identity politics theory, as well as the authors' own activist experiences, we argue that while recognising women as a discriminated group may promote gender differentiation, this may still go some way towards practically combating 'androcentric norms' [Fraser, Nancy (1995). From redistribution to recognition? Dilemmas of justice in a 'post-socialist' age, New Left Review, 212, 68-93.] and thus gender inequality in universities.