What Does It Mean to Be "Successful"? Narratives of British South Asian Principals and Head Girls

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Research on Women and Girls of Color

Abstract

In this paper, the lived experiences of four academically and professionally 'successful' British South Asian girls and women are explored- two headgirls and two principals. This study draws on narrative interview approaches and Black feminist thinking to explore the experiences of these 'successful' women within this cross-generational study. The paper is framed around two key questions: What does it mean to be 'successful' in these roles? How is 'success' mediated across their lived experiences? Key markers of success include leaving a legacy, nurturing others and juggling demands. The paper concludes that these women experience heightened visibility due to their British Asian identities and competing professional and cultural expectations, which reveal the complexities of 'success' journeys for minority ethnic women.

Author

• Deborah Jones, Brunel University, London