1
Return

Intersectionality and equality policies in Higher Education and Research organizations: a critical scoping review and future research agenda

delete2025-10-30
delete0
PRE
AI
J
Joanna Y.M. Beeckmans *
P
Patrizia Zanoni
K
Koen Van Laer *
DOI:10.1080/07294360.2025.2573980delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The notion of intersectionality is increasingly used to theorize inequalities within Higher Education and Research (HE&R) organizations. However, its translation into effective equality policies remains underexplored. This critical scoping review of 76 scientific articles identifies three main approaches to intersectionality in the literature on HE&R equality policies. The first approach (N= 50) captures persisting underrepresentation of intersectionally minoritized students and staff, microaggressions and feelings of non-belonging. These studies critique how current equality policies fail to address intersecting inequalities. The second approach (N= 16) examines the content of formal equality policies. These studies critique these policies for lacking intersectionality, evidence-based knowledge and accountability measures. The third approach (N= 10) theorizes the potential of intersectionality to advance social justice by tackling discrimination and privilege at both the individual and structural level. This threefold typology allows us to identify knowledge gaps in the extant literature and formulate recommendations for future research. We plead for future research that empirically explores and theorizes the designing, implementing and governing of equality policies, which contain ‘traces’ of intersectionality – moving beyond silos and addressing interlocking oppressive structures – with particular attention for the underlying power dynamics in HE&R.
Keywords:
Scoping review
intersectionality
equality policies
higher education
research organizations

Journal

H
Higher Education Research and Development
IF:
2.9
Papers:
157
Citations:
5.8K

Organization

H
Hasselt University
Scholars:
6.2K
Papers: 5.3K
Citations: 7.6K
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers