Preparing for Intersectional Perspectives: Challenges in Academic Employment Practice

This paper explores the potential for aligning theoretical approaches and good practices for intersectional approaches to recruitment and career development in academia, focusing on a European university alliance comprising eight institutions. The study applies a participatory approach that includes comparative analysis and stakeholder engagement to assess how institutional practices can become more inclusive. The findings highlight structural barriers, including entrenched notions of meritocracy and inadequate legal and procedural frameworks. Current strategies often juxtapose inequalities rather than addressing their intersections, resulting in approaches remaining siloed. Based on a reflexive case study, the paper identifies critical factors such as the need for formalised procedures, training and financial investment to effectively operationalise intersectional frameworks. It emphasises the need for tailored approaches that take into account the diversity of institutional and legal contexts and enable more inclusive academic policies and services. Together, these efforts aim to address structural inequalities and create sustainable practises that support the professional development and mobility of marginalised groups in academia, responding to the persistent gaps between policy commitments to intersectionality and their practical implementation within higher education institutions.