Towards a research agenda for examining online gender based violence against women academics.

Abstract

Gender based violence in virtual environments is commonly experienced by women and girls, and online abuse has become a significant social problem. High profile women in a variety of professions often become victims of online violence. The topic of online gender-based violence has to date received scant academic attention. Little is known about how female academics are represented and treated in online and social media spaces. Academics are increasingly exhorted to disseminate their work and to engage with an audience outside academia but the online violence against female academics compromises their ability to fulfil this agenda. This paper provides insight into the literature surrounding the experiences of women academics negotiating virtual spaces and further presents a research agenda in order to explore the phenomenon more closely. In doing so, we highlight the need for greater protection and regulation of virtual environments in order to support those who use them.