Catalysts and Inhibitors in the Achievement of New Women Professors: An Australian Study

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Faculty, Curriculum, and Teaching

Abstract

Women are under-represented in the professoriate in Australia. This imbalance is an ongoing concern as affirmative action programs have had limited effect. It is also a motive to investigate the catalysts and inhibitors to women’s ascent to the professoriate. This investigation focussed on appointments between 2005-2008 using an electronic survey of new women (n=255) and new men professors (n= 240) and focus group interviews of the former (n= 21). The most critical catalysts for women were equal employment opportunities and mentoring. The key inhibitors were negative discrimination, the culture of the boys’ club, the tension between personal and professional life, and isolation. Knowledge of significant catalysts and inhibitors enables the development of pragmatic approaches towards redressing the gender balance.

Authors

• Carmel M. Diezmann, Australian Catholic University

• Susan J. Grieshaber, Hong Kong Institute of Education