Manning the Ship
More male scholars are showing up in women’s studies departments, but experts are hesitant to call it a trend just yet
By Shilpa Banerji
Statistically and historically speaking, most women’s studies departments are headed by women. So when Dr. David G. Allen, a psychosocial and community health professor at the University of Washington, was appointed chair of that institution’s women’s studies department last summer, it ruffled a few feathers to say the least.
“Women and women of color are woefully under-represented in academia,” says Allen, who has taught in the department for more than a decade. “Appointing a man to a position that is an obvious opportunity for a woman to gain administrative experience — and that historically has been held by women — requires some justification.”
Dr. Nancy J. Kenney, an associate professor of women’s studies at UW, says although she respects Allen as an individual and a colleague, she was initially worried about his appointment to head the department. She says she wondered what kind of message it would send to potential students. She also questioned whether there were any qualified women for the position. She wasn’t alone. Allen’s appointment generated quite a bit of controversy on the blogosphere and caught the attention of various media outlets, including The Associated Press and Fox News.
“The leadership style and vision of any department chair can be cause for worry,” Kenney says. “But we don’t want the mission and function of the department to be lost” amid the media attention.
