Men Faculty Gender-Equity Advocates

As part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE grant, North Dakota State University (NDSU) created a program of men faculty Advocates to engage in gender-equity/climate improvement efforts. Sixteen men Advocates spent 4 years reading materials, attending NDSU ADVANCE FORWARD programming, and creating training sessions for male faculty gender-equity Allies. The current investigation reviews core aspects of effective Ally preparation programs, and then compares this Advocates program with elements of successful men’s profeminist gender-equity advocacy work. We discovered that the NDSU Advocates used 12 of Berkowitz’s 19 elements, with 4 additional elements present. Implications for this men’s gender-equity advocates program, similar programs at other colleges and universities, and other Ally/advocates programs are discussed.