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.

Dr 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 and she has established a national and international reputation for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Higher Education and sociological studies in science, engineering and technology. Interests include gendered aspects of professional careers and work, organisational practices and policies and the ways organisational culture are related to these aspects.

John Arnold is Emeritus Professor at the Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University, UK. He was previously Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the School for a total of 24 years over two periods of employment. John is a Fellow and Chartered Occupational Psychologist of the British Psychological Society (BPS). His research, teaching and consultancy involve all areas of careers and their management from both individual and organizational perspectives.

Fehmidah Munir is Professor of Health Psychology, in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. She is also the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in a job-share role with Professor Paula Griffiths.. Fehmidah’s research expertise is on work and health, from examining lifestyle behaviours in the workplace to the way working conditions and senior management decisions impact on the health and wellbeing of employees.

Dr Sara Bosley completed her doctoral thesis, an exploration of the role of others in shaping individuals’ careers, in 2004. She then pursued research in careers, workforce and development in the contexts of Higher Education, the National Health Service and the community. After working as a Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Loughborough University, she worked on the Onwards and Upwards project that provided the foundation of this book. She retired in 2020.