Attitude, Perceptions, Aspirations of Women Faculty Members Towards Academic Leadership in STEM: Enabling Factors and Challenges

Abstract

Gender equality is a stated United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG), as it has broad socio-economic ramifications. Despite a global dialogue, increasing awareness and cogent action by all stakeholders, gender disparity exists across the spectrum. This is true for leadership positions as well, including in academia. The situation is exacerbated in large developing countries such as India. While women comprise a significant percentage of faculty positions in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), their representation as Vice Chancellors, Directors, Deans remains low. The percentage is even smaller when it comes to STEM courses. To address this imbalance, factors which act as barriers and enablers to the elevation of women to leadership positions in STEM courses in Indian academia need to be examined from multiple perspectives, including those from the women themselves. The present study analyses data from 138 women academic leaders from 73 HEIs in India, using a mixed methods approach. The results indicate that Institutional Culture, Mentoring and Institutional Support, Recognition and Equal Opportunities emerged as the enabling factors whereas Self-Perception, Societal Beliefs and Work-Family Conflict were the major barriers which hinder progression to senior academic leadership positions. The study adds to the body of the existing literature on women in academic leadership in STEM courses and provides valuable recommendations for institutions of higher education for creating an enabling environment facilitating women in getting elevated to senior leadership positions in academia and succeeding in these roles.