Increasing the student gender balance in areas where men are under-represented

Increasing the gender balance within professions is an equity imperative that enables societies to make the most of their talent pool and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service provision. This promotes improved... [ view full abstract ]

Increasing the gender balance within professions is an equity imperative that enables societies to make the most of their talent pool and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service provision. This promotes improved economic and social outcomes including well-being.

In New Zealand, in line with OECD trends, men are significantly under-represented as Early Childhood Education (ECE) teaching and nursing professionals. Despite some recent improvements, the gender imbalance in these professions remains stark. Men are approximately 2 percent of ECE teaching professionals and 8 percent of nursing professionals in New Zealand.

As a ‘critic and conscience of society’ and as a major provider of teaching and nursing qualifications and research in these areas, the University of Auckland has an important role to play in actively promoting equitable pathways for men into these programmes and into the professions.

The University’s Equity Office began work this year with a range of internal and external stakeholders including students, staff, government and professional bodies on a project to increase the gender balance of students in nursing and early childhood education programmes.

The project has used data on University student participation and qualification completions, sector data, research, benchmarking and stakeholder engagement to identify and implement initiatives to improve the gender balance in the ECE teaching and nursing programmes.

As evidence of effectiveness we expect to see more faculty engagement in developing initiatives to redress male under-representation including research, marketing and support services for male students as appropriate. This will lead to increased male participation and success in the University, enhancing the pipeline for the professions.

This presentation shares the project methodology, key data, research, stakeholder feedback and measures of effectiveness. It also seeks feedback on the design and implementation of strategies to increase the gender balance in the areas identified.