Competing logics and organisational barriers to equality work at universities

Much has been written about the negative impacts of managerialism, bureaucracy and neoliberalism on education, students and staff. This article demonstrates that these structures are also holding back progress on equality. The article provides an analysis of interviews with 14 university employees about their involvement in closing Global Ethnic Majority awarding gaps in the UK, and highlights the presence of competing autonomous, utilitarian and managerial logics. The article identifies challenges that these competing logics create and concludes by recommending that leaders and managers understand and accept the presence of multiple logics in their institutions and provide more accommodating management approaches. Many university employees will not be motivated to engage in equality work by managerial or utilitarian logic, and university leaders would benefit from developing a better understanding and appreciation of other logics, which we argue is essential for equality work to flourish and achieve its aims.