The number of women in academic leadership roles is on the rise. Over the past decade, the proportion of female professors has risen to 30.8%, an increase of 9.1%, while the representation of women in senior academic management has grown to 39.2%, an increase of 11.3%.
Whilst this is good news, women still face challenges and are underrepresented in senior positions and overrepresented in professional support service roles.
Research from Advance HE shows that proportionally more male academics (47.0%) held teaching and research contracts than female academics (38.5%). Also, 49.2% of male academics earn more than £50,000 a year, compared to 39.3% of female academics.
Further research, in collaboration with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE), also reveals that women are less likely than men to be successful in their applications for senior roles.
So while the overall number of women in higher education is on the rise, inequality persists.
Higher education has the potential to provide a stimulating and rewarding career opportunity for all of its employees. However, the statistics indicate that women may face more barriers to career progression than anticipated.
Gender equality benefits everyone, and universities that embrace DEI, especially at a leadership level, are more likely to have above-average profitability.
What can be done to support women in higher education and promote careers in academia?
jobs.ac.uk has gathered industry experts to provide insights and advice to women for their careers in higher education.
Watch or read their summaries below.
Women at work: building your career
Dr Suzanne Ross, founder of Women Trailblazers, discusses how women can take ownership of their careers. Giving tips on how to develop your career, highlighting what can hold you back and how to navigate the challenges.
Building resilience as an employee
Dr Suzanne Ross leads you through how to build resilience specifically for the workplace. As women continue to face more obstacles in career advancement and have a disproportionate share of caregiving and domestic responsibilities, learning how to identify and manage stress is vital.
Women Space webinars
jobs.ac.uk partnered with Women Space to offer insights on career transitions, overcoming challenges and barriers, and empowering women to champion their own success.
- Women Space Australia – Planning Your Career Moves in 2024
- Overcoming Barriers and Challenges for Women in Universities
- How to Champion Yourself
Case studies of successful women in Higher Education
jobs.ac.uk spoke to female leaders to find out how they became successful in a male-dominated industry, and how others could follow in their footsteps.
- Christina Hughes – Founder and CEO of Women-Space.
- Professor Chris Ennew OBE – Provost, University of Warwick.
- Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell – FRS, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester.
- Sarah Bennett – Thrive Project Manager, University of Warwick
It will be highly appreciated if I can have advice on how to get a job in the higher education as a woman with a PhD.
I hope the women will be more cooperative between them.
searching for a lecturer position in the field of business studies specifically, Risk management, strategic management, Corporate Governance and Leadership
I am currently pursuing PhD in Strategic Management
I have more than 20 years teaching experience at higher education institution and am searching for a lecturer position in the field f business, management, economics and banking
I HAVE OVER 14 YEARS OF LECTURING EXPERIENCE IN COMPUTING ENGINEERING OVERSEAS AND SEARCHING FOR A LECTURING POSITION IN THE SAME FIELD
I am an Associate Professor of Gender and Education. I seek a lecturing position in Educational Foundations (Sociology of Education). I have over 20 years of experience in theoretical and practice of teacher preparation.
Hello,
I have PhD in Food Science/Technology with both Lecturing and Food Safety Management roles.
I am currently leaving in the UK and looking for similar roles.
Currently lost my job due to scaling down.