Navigating power and neoliberal logics: critical reflections on implementing gender equality plans in higher education institutions Available to Purchase

Fida Afiouni is a tenured Professor of HRM at the Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut and currently serves as Associate Provost. Fida is also a title IX deputy, a trained investigator in sexual harassment and discrimination. Fida currently serves as HRM section coeditor in the Journal of Business Ethics. Her publications, at the intersection of HR, careers and gender, have won multiple awards and have appeared in leading journals in her field.

Eleni Apospori is Professor of Organizational Behavior at Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB). She has served as the first Chair of the Gender Equality Committee at AUEB. Her research focuses on structural/societal/cultural issues in careers and gender. Her publications have appeared in leading journals in the field including Human Resource Management Journal and International Journal of Human Resource Management. Eleni has extended funded research experience as co-PI and PI in 39 research projects funded by international, mostly European, and national sources; currently, she is the PI and Coordinator of the HORIZON2020 TARGETED-MPI project.

Yasmeen Makarem is an Assistant Professor of HRD at the Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut. Yasmeen has built a portfolio of work related to three core areas: (1) women in STEM and related career ecosystems, (2) critical perspectives on management studies and (3) inclusive HRM practices. Yasmeen’s work has been published in several journals and academic conferences, including Human Resource Management Journal, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Business Research Quarterly, Human Resource Development Quarterly, Academy of Management and Academy of Human Resource Development.

Chloé Mechleb is a research assistant at the Olayan School of Business (OSB), at the American University of Beirut (AUB). In her role, she explores gender equality, focusing on how social, organizational, and institutional structures shape gender dynamics and impact workplace environments. Her work aims to foster inclusive workplaces that promote employee well-being and enable self-actualization.

Yunyan Li is a senior research associate at Lancaster University (ULANC), working on the Horizon 2020 TARGETED-MPI project, and the research lead at Lancaster University China Centre. Yunyan’s research focuses on gender justice in the workplace, social and public policy in East Asia, and community–based participatory research. Yunyan has published in several journals such as Educational Action Research.

Ella Oelbrandt is a research assistant at the Brussels Institute for Social and Population Issues (BRISPO), at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Working on topics like gender inequality and well-being in the workplace, she develops practical policy initiatives to enhance the working conditions of employees. Within her different projects, Ella collaborates with different (Belgian) institutions like health institute Sciensano and the governmental department for work.