Browsing by Author "Holmberg, Vendela"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Hur görs institutionell mångfald? En kritisk studie av performativa spänningar i arbetet med breddad rekrytering och breddat deltagande på ett svenskt universitet
(2025-06-24) Holmberg, Vendela; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för filosofi, lingvistik och vetenskapsteori; Göteborg University/Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science
The aim of this study was to investigate and explore performative tensions in the active work of widening access and participation at a Swedish university. By performative tensions, I refer to diff erent factors perceived to hinder or counteract change, such as power dynamics, hierarchy, ideals and non-challenged structures. Focus lies on examining how the university engages with diversity work at various levels within the organisation, as well as how the study's informants work with and relate to the institution’s goals – as articulated in the university’s policy on widening access and participation. In order to meet the aim of this study, I conducted six semi-structured, qualitative interviews with university employees responsible for diversity work, initiatives and/or the development of the policy. The informants' experiences as well as their statements have been thematically organised and analysed with inspiration from Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis (1995) – however, the theoretical framework mainly draws on Sara Ahmed’s (2012, 2019, 2021) theories on performativity, use, and complaint. Ahmed’s concepts and ideas are particularly relevant as they speak directly to the context of higher education and off er tools for critically analysing the power structures, norms, and practices that shape this institutional setting (ibid). The results of this research indicate that structural barriers (practices and norms that favor certain groups while systematically hindering others), unclear responsibilities, and a lack of institutional support prevent change within the organisation. Diversity work relies heavily on individual actors with limited power, while organisational resistance and a tendency to delegate responsibility downward weaken long-term progress. Despite formal policy commitments, diversity and inclusion are often treated as peripheral tasks rather than integrated responsibilities. Ultimately, the study underscores the need for collective accountability, stronger leadership and a deeper commitment to challenging structural inequalities within higher education.
Trygga Rum: En studie kring separation, kropp och känsla i könsseparatistiska musiksammanhang
(2023-04-17) Benjaminsson Randén, Moa; Holmberg, Vendela; University of Gothenburg/Department of Cultural Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för kulturvetenskaper
The aim of this study was to investigate how participants and organisers of separatist musical contexts experience the environment within these spaces based on norms, emotions and body. The theoretical framework mainly draws on Sara Ahmed’s (2014) theories on body and affect written in The Cultural Politics of Emotion. The analysis of the informants’ perceived gender norms also includes Michel Foucault's theories about subject/power and Judith Butler's gender performativity. In order to meet our aim, we have conducted six qualitative interviews with women who have experience as participants and/or organisers of different separatist music organisations. The informants' statements as well as their experiences were analysed using discursive analysis. Furthermore, this study highlights how feminist ideas are adopted and changed over time, especially around questions of essence, gender construction and separation. The results of our research indicate that musical contexts outside gender-separatist spaces are characterised by forms of inequality in terms of perceived undermining of music-making women and transgender people. The informants believe that this perceived undermining results in diminished self-esteem, negative emotional charges linked to instruments and rehearsal rooms as well as disciplinary restrictions on one's own music-making. They further state that gender-separatist musical contexts counter the negative effects of inequality and promote women's and trans people's freedom of action in music. Thus, one could argue that these contexts are important as strategies for gender equality within music as they provide safe spaces, where female performativity, performance anxiety and learned masculine attitudes can be challenged.