Gender discrimination in academia: a study on perceived and experienced discrimination among Polish academic staff

Despite academia’s stated commitment to diversity and equity, gender inequality persists as a significant problem. This study investigates the perception and experience of gender-based discrimination among 375 academics in Poland. Results revealed a gender perception gap: staff observed discrimination against women significantly more often than against men, primarily noting a greater burden of duties, underestimation of achievements, and comments about their appearance. While the overall frequency of personally experienced discrimination was rated as low, the most common forms were again an unfair distribution of work tasks, and underestimation of their achievements. Gender was the strongest predictor of perceived discrimination against women in academia, with women reporting higher levels than men; perceptions were also higher among staff living in rural areas and lower among research assistants and those in other academic roles compared to assistant professors. The results indicate that subtle, systemic biases are pervasive yet unevenly perceived, creating a significant barrier to institutional equity and representing a form of institutional betrayal.