Measuring Perceptions of the Work Environment for Female Faculty

Abstract

This study developed a scale to measure perceptions of the working environment for female faculty in higher education using data from 626 faculty members from the United States and Canada. The Academic Work Environment for Women Scale includes three dimensions: differential treatment of women, balancing work and personal obligations, and sexist attitudes and comments. To demonstrate the utility of the scale, we examined the relationship between the proportion of women in an academic department and the perceived supportiveness or hostility toward women of that department and the relationship of scale scores to demographic indicators.