Female academics in senior administrative positions :a case study of an Islamic University in Malaysia

Abstract

The underrepresentation of female academics in senior administrative positions is a global concern. This situation persists despite the myriad arrangements and attempts made for more women to be involved in leadership roles. This qualitative study sought to obtain a better understanding of why female academics remain underrepresented in senior administrative positions. It examined the perceptions that senior academic administrators have about women being in senior positions and the existence of a glass ceiling that hampers their career advancement. The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews conducted with thirteen female academics holding senior administrative positions at Global Islamic University. This research study adds to the literature by providing an insight as to how senior female administrators from an Islamic background view the phenomena. The participants shared their perception on the issue, i.e. the granting of more senior positions to female academics, especially the 30% quota suggested by the 1995 Beijing conference on women; institutional policies pertaining to promotion, specifically the existence of glass ceiling for promotion; the meaning of promotion and success; and successful factors for their work-life balance. The findings of the study reveal that the participants perceive that female academics are given the opportunity to hold senior administrative positions because of their capability. In addition, they felt that there is no need for more senior administrative positions and that there is no need for 30% quota for women academics. The participants perceived no glass ceiling, in terms of discrimination, in their promotion to senior positions. Being awarded the positions of associate professor or professor is what promotion means to the female academics. Being promoted to a senior administrative position was regarded as responsibility for them to contribute to the university. The study also found that the participants define success as the ability to accomplish all of their institutional, family and individual responsibilities. Being awarded or promoted to the senior academic position was not perceived to be a success. Finally, the study found that the success factors for their work- life balance are the time factors, the institutional factor, and the external and individual factors.