Breaking the glass ceiling: The doctoral thesis defence as a key turning point

Abstract

Statistics depict a university system that is not a space for equality – despite what we might expect of a meritocratic system. Women constitute a minority in positions of power and among high officials in university structures. This document analyses the possible causes in the decrease in women’s participation after defending their doctoral theses, a key moment that represents the start of the glass ceiling. It delves into the relationship between co-optation systems, male power networks, and the allocation of pre-doctoral grants.