Women Doing Leadership in Higher Education Academic and Professional Services Perspectives

This book outlines in-depth the findings of a five-year longitudinal mixed methods study with academic and professional services women working in higher education in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Key themes in the book include women’s engagement in leadership, careers in higher education, work and stress, women-only leadership programmes, intersectional perspectives that shine a light on differential experiences of women and the gendered culture of higher education. The book outlines several significant implications for women working in higher education, for those managing higher education institutions (HEIs), and for those involved in higher education policy development.

1. Introduction.- 2. Women Doing Leadership.- 3. Women’s academic and professional services careers.- 4. Work and stress.- 5. Women-only Leadership Programmes.- 6. Case studies.- 7. Intersectional analyses.- 8. Gendered cultures in context.- 9. Discussion and Conclusions.- 10. Implications.

Sarah Barnard is Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Contemporary Work at Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University, UK. Sarah’s research is focused on advancing social justice in organisational contexts.

John Arnold is Emeritus Professor at Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University, UK. John’s research centres on careers and their management from both individual and organisational perspectives

Fehmidah Munir is Professor of Health Psychology in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, UK. Fehmidah’ s research expertise is on work, health and wellbeing.

Sara Bosley is a former researcher and lecturer at Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University, UK. Sara’s research focused on careers, workforce and development. She retired in 2020.