This paper takes as a starting point the complexities and proposed changes of contemporary power relations within academia recognised throughout the Western world. For example, it is said that ‘traditional’ gender relations are losing ground as growing numbers of women position themselves in e.g. educational research (Murray & Maguire, 2007; Arnesen et al., 2008; HSV, 2008). However, the pattern is still that men occupy more senior positions (Ducklin & Ozga, 200; Kurtz-Costes et al., 2006; Silander, 2010). Notwithstanding, institutions are influenced by a growing performative discourse, which might affect the dominating power and gender relations in research work (Acker, 2008). Our paper presents preliminary findings from a Swedish research project, Gender and career in academia, the main aim of which is to develop knowledge about gender and other power relations within universities. Theoretically, we draw on Ball’s (2008, 2009), Rhodes’ (1997) and Newman’s (2001) ideas of governance and networks in institutional contexts. It is argued that academic institutions, departments and milieus vary with regard to social and economic capital (Bourdieu, 1986; Field, 2009; Lin, 2002), used as resources for power. These resources promote certain networks and groups before others, they condition scientific interests, and how positions are given and ordered, i.e. they enable different careers. We further agree with Connell (1996, 2002) and others who underline that gender can be performed differently depending on contexts, i.e. the power and gender regimes do not automatically follow the prevalent gender order. In this paper we focus on one of the six selected academic institutions. The aim is to analyse how different career paths are governed through policy and social networks. 

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