Is it Possible to be a Feminist Manager in the ‘Real World’ of Further Education?

This article explores the potential of a particular kind of feminist activism within the context of the consistent restructuring of British institutions of further education. That is the development of an ethics of care. In doing so, the article makes a distinction between women managers and feminist managers. The discussion focuses its analysis on the 'real world' 'can do!' cultures of further education markets. It considers senior and middle managers' responses to this. Overall, the article argues that the kinds of widespread social changes envisaged through the integration of an ethics of care into organisational life are simply not even feasible within contemporary further education.