Research from the University of Glamorgan's Business School has identified the gender of 32 other university websites.

Gloria Moss and Rod Gunn's study found that 94% displayed a masculine orientation with just 2% dislaying a typically female bias.

Although details of their methodology are visibly lacking (Dr Gunn will only say, "the statistics are complicated" - just as well we've been shielded from them then), the logic goes as follows:

"Where visuals are concerned, males favour the use of straight lines (as opposed to rounded forms), few colours in the typeface and background, and formal typography. As for language, they favour the use of formal or expert language with few abbreviations and are more likely to promote themselves and their abilities heavily."

Strangely, the university's own website was not included in the study, but the researchers assure us that it "was found to be one of the most equally balanced in terms of visual design." To me, it appears to fit the profile of a masculine site quite well.

Do have a read if your only objective is to make your site aesthetically pleasing to one gender or the other.