Obstacles for women professors at University faced in reaching leadership positions

What is it about?

Underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in universities is a phenomenon present in most countries of the world, with some significant differences. In our work we focused on obstacles that women professors in Novi Sad University (Serbia) faced in reaching leadership positions. Obstacles, mentorship and networking have been researched from an idiographic perspective (reflection and the personal experience of the women at Novi Sad University). Results indicate a significant underrepresentation of women in leadership positions at Novi Sad University and suggests that limiting factors, such as lack of mentorship and inadequate networking, acting as inhibitors in reaching leadership positions.

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Why is it important?

The theoretical importance of this research lies in its contribution to the theoretical and research corpus of knowledge related to gender aspects of leadership in higher education. One of the key questions is identifying the cause of underrepresentation of women in leadership positions at the university. Most of the studies centering on this problem have been conducted in the context of western countries, whereas our research project is one of the few relating to the social and cultural environment of Serbia. The practical value of this research project resides in its attempt at incorporating gender equality principles in the strategies, policies, procedures and, hopefully, future gender equality plans at the University, creating a positive and stimulating space for women with leadership potential. Setting up special mentoring programmes with the aim of empowering women for leadership would be of further practical significance.

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