Leadership in Australian higher education: lessons from female educational leaders

Abstract

There is an increasing number of women leaders in higher education. However, a far higher proportion of males than females still fill senior management roles in Australian higher education. Several recent studies have set out to examine and analyse the leadership styles of women leaders in higher education in order to better understand and inform models for women who aspire to positions of leadership in higher education.Most educational leaders are not prepared for their roles and learn through trial and error in, and by surviving, their leadership and management experiences. The term leadership, itself, is used in a variety of ways and means different things to different people. A variety of different theoretical frameworks for conceptualizing and understanding leadership has arisen from these different conceptions and understandings.This study explores the autobiographical perspectives and responses of five respected female figures in educational leadership (i.e. leadership in teaching and learning) in Australian higher education. The identification of significant factors impacting on the educational leadership of these figures will provide insight into the nature of leadership in relation to teaching and learning in Australian higher education.