This volume presents a comprehensive overview of methodological issues and empirical methods of practice-oriented research. It examines questions regarding the scope and boundaries of practice-oriented approaches and practice theory. It discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of the diversity resulting from the use of these approaches, as well as method and methodology-related issues. The specific questions explored in this volume are: What consequences are linked to the application of a praxeological perspective in empirical research when it comes to the choice of methods? Is there such a thing as an ideal path to follow in praxeological empirical research? What relationship is there between qualitative and quantitative approaches? What differentiates practice-based social research from other perspectives and approaches such as discourse analysis or hermeneutics? The contributions in this book discuss these questions either from a methodological point of view or from a reflective perspective on empirical research practices.

This volume presents a comprehensive overview of methodological issues and empirical methods of practice-oriented research. It examines questions regarding the scope and boundaries of practice-oriented approaches and practice theory. It discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of the diversity resulting from the use of these approaches, as well as method and methodology-related issues. The specific questions explored in this volume are: What consequences are linked to the application of a praxeological perspective in empirical research when it comes to the choice of methods? Is there such a thing as an ideal path to follow in praxeological empirical research? What relationship is there between qualitative and quantitative approaches? What differentiates practice-based social research from other perspectives and approaches such as discourse analysis or hermeneutics? The contributions in this book discuss these questions either from a methodological point of view or from a reflective perspective on empirical research practices.

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access and freely available to read online. The under-representation of women in research and innovation has been documented as a global phenomenon and is particularly heightened on decision-making boards and in leadership positions. Presenting a reflexive approach to gender equality for research organisations developed within the TARGET project, funded by the European Commission, the authors describe the experiences of the project's implementation in seven Gender Equality Innovating Institutions in the Mediterranean basin - including research performing organisations, research funding organisations and a network of universities. The TARGET approach goes beyond the formal adoption of a gender equality policy by emphasising an iterative and reflexive process towards equality at the institutional level as well as the establishment of a community of practice for gender equality within the institution. The approach is based on the assumption that actual change is the result of increased institutional willingness and capacity to identify, reflect on and address gender bias in a sustained way. Starting point and anchor of the process is a tailored gender equality plan for each institution. A specific characteristic of TARGET is the fact that implementing institutions are located in countries which have been characterised as relatively 'inactive' in developing gender equality policies in science and research. Therefore, internal and external communication about the relevance of gender equality in science and research forms an important element of a reflexive gender equality policy in contexts which are characterised by resistances, anti-genderism and traditional gender roles. This book will therefore be essential reading for higher education leaders and managers, and staff at all levels committed to achieving gender equity in higher education. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Anfang der 1990er Jahre wurde erstmals von einem Backlash im Bereich der Frauenfoerderung und Gleichstellung gesprochen und die Strategien des Patriachats aufgezeigt, die den Forderungen von Frauen* nach gleichberechtigter Teilhabe entgegengesetzt werden. Aktuell wird wieder - nicht nur in OEsterreich - von einem Backlash gesprochen, der sich beispielsweise in einer Abkehr von der geschlechtsneutralen Sprache, in der Kurzung von Subventionen fur Frauen- und Madchenberatungseinrichtungen, im Ruckbau von Institutionen und in Angriffen auf die Gender Studies niederschlagt. Zu diesen Phanomenen von Backlash kam es trotz der Etablierung zahlreicher Institutionen im Bereich Gleichstellung und Bekenntnisse zur Foerderung von Vielfalt auf politischer Ebene und von Unternehmensseite. Ausgehend von diesem ambivalenten Befund zum Status Quo von Gleichstellung werden Anforderungen an eine zeitgemasse Gleichstellungspolitik an der Schnittstelle zwischen Politik, Theorie und Praxis formuliert. Die Beitrage in dem Band zeigen aktuelle Herausforderungen fur Gleichstellungspolitik und illustrieren, wie die Schnittstelle ausgestaltet werden kann.