Are Women Advancing in Educational Leadership? A Study of Representation in Administration in Alberta

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 1:45 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Women and the Superintendency

Abstract

This study examines gender representation in senior educational leadership across Alberta’s 63 public, Catholic, and francophone school divisions. Using a mixed methods multiple case study design, it combines quantitative data on superintendent roles with qualitative interviews exploring organizational practices influencing women’s advancement. Preliminary findings show 23.8% of public, 52.9% of Catholic, and 75.0% of francophone superintendents are female, with 34.9% overall. Incorporating Appreciative Inquiry, the study identifies strengths-based pathways to gender equity in educational leadership. The final analysis, to be completed in November 2025, will offer a comprehensive provincial profile of women in Canadian educational administration, contributing to leadership and gender theory while providing actionable insights for policy and leadership development.

Author

• Kimberly St Andre, University of Portland