Chilly Climate 2.0 - Women’s Experiences of Harassment and Discrimination in Canadian Higher Education

Oct 15, 2026

This research examines how gender inequality concerns identified in Breaking Anonymity (The Chilly Collective, 1995) remain salient under newer EDI mandates/programs in Canadian higher education. Survey data from Canadian academics who identify as women (n = 244) documents gender-based harassment and discrimination experiences. Analysis identifies three categories of patriarchal gendered control: overt practices, covert practices, and systematic silencing of reporting. The study foregrounds women’s voices and discusses barriers and implications for equity and inclusion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Literature Review

Chilly Climate 2.0: Women’s Experiences of Harassment and Discrimination in Canadian Higher Education Janette Hughes Ontario Tech University Hannah Scott Ontario Tech University Laura Jane Morrison Ontario Tech University Donna Kotsopoulos Western University Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen Ontario Tech University Canadian Journal of Education / Revue canadienne de l’éducation 46:2 (2023)©2023 Canadian Society for the Study of Education/ Société canadienne pour l’étude de l’éducation [www.cje-rce.ca](www.cje-rce.ca) Abstract This research examines the extent to which issues identified in Breaking Anonymity (The Chilly Collective, 1995) are still salient despite new EDI mandates/programs which support increased research excellence through EDI principles. We present survey results for Canadian academics who identify as women (n = 244) regarding their experiences with gender-based harassment and discrimination. Our analysis identified three categories of patriarchal gendered control: (1) overt practices,(2) covert practices, and (3) a systematic effort to silence the reporting of these experiences. We highlight the voices of women academics as they provide personal insights into the continuing barriers through their experiences. Through their stories, the implications of existing overt and covert harassment and discrimination practices are discussed. Our study provides an overview of women academics’ experiences with oppression by their male colleagues and contributes to research exploring equity and inclusion in higher education and the continued need to work toward gender equity. Keywords: gender, discrimination, harassment, chilly climate, academia Résumé Cette recherche examine dans quelle mesure les questions identifiées dans Breaking Anonymity (The Chilly Collective, 1995) sont toujours d’actualité malgré les nouveaux mandats/programmes d’ÉDI (équité, diversité et inclusion) qui soutiennent l’excellence accrue de la recherche grâce aux principes de l’ÉDI. Nous présentons les résultats d’une enquête menée auprès d’universitaires canadiennes qui s’identifient comme des femmes (n = 244) concernant leurs expériences en matière de harcèlement et de discrimination basés sur le genre. Notre analyse a permis d’identifier trois catégories de contrôle patriarcalgenré : 1) des pratiques manifestes ; 2) des pratiques cachées ; et 3) un effort systématique pour faire taire la divulgation de ces expériences. Nous soulignons les voix des femmes universitaires qui, à travers leurs expériences personnelles, donnent un aperçu des obstacles qui subsistent. À travers leurs récits, les implications des pratiques de harcèlement et de discriminations manifestes et cachées sont discutées. Notre étude donne un résumé des Canadian Journal of Education /Revue canadienne del’éducation [www.cje-rce.ca](www.cje-rce.ca) expériences des femmes universitaires en matière d’oppression par leurs collèges de sexe masculin et contribue à la recherche sur l’équité et l’inclusion à l’enseignement supérieuret sur la nécessité de continuer à travailler en faveur de l’équité des sexes. Mots-clés : genre, discrimination, harcèlement, ambiance tendue, milieu universitaire. Introduction Almost 30 years ago, a group of women academics examined the environmental factors contributing to gender inequality in academia (The Chilly Collective, 1995). They found that women across university faculties often experienced overt and subtle forms of harassing and discriminatory practices which made them feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, and devalued. Despite the myriad equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and commitments launched over the past decade in higher education in Canada (for an expansive review see Universities Canada, 2019), the “chilling”effect (Sandler, 1986) described by these authors appears to be enduring. Recent data reports that 34% of women report harassment and discrimination in their employment at post-secondary instituti

FAQs

What does the study examine about gender inequality in Canadian higher education?

The study examines whether issues identified in Breaking Anonymity remain salient despite newer EDI mandates and programs in Canadian higher education.

How many participants are included, and what group are they from?

The survey includes 244 Canadian academics who identify as women, focusing on their experiences with gender-based harassment and discrimination.

What categories of patriarchal gendered control does the analysis identify?

The analysis identifies three categories: overt practices, covert practices, and a systematic effort to silence the reporting of these experiences.

Oct 15, 2026

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