The conundrums of formal and informal meritocracy: dealing with gender segregation in the academy

Abstract Despite the academy’s commitment to idea of meritocratic and fair principles in recruitments, promotions, student admissions progress, gender segregation inequalities continue trouble universities worldwide. Through case-studies two education programs at a Swedish university, we investigate how processes formal merit, both (required for admission such as high grades) what identify informal merit (needing act particular ways once admitted) work obviate or reproduce gender-segregation. We analyze everyday gendering classroom play central role gets constructed merit. Changing notions during period study can hamper possibilities ending HE open up circumvent it. show that complex ongoing construction restrain students from minority groups (in relation gender, but also ethnic background, socioeconomic position, sexuality) enter, importantly, remain program. At same time, new addressing subject itself provides potential openings. argue order achieve balance universities, it is urgent understand interplay have joined university importantly when they made leap broken with segregated choices.