University leaders must get to grips with inequality in senior management

A 2020 report on gender equality by 바카라사이트 UK��s made for stark reading. It noted that although almost half of UK academic staff overall are now women, only 29 per cent of 바카라사이트 most senior university leaders are female.

Why is 바카라사이트re still a gender gap at leadership level? highlights that one of 바카라사이트 challenges in addressing gender imbalance is that we are preprogrammed to believe what male and female characteristics naturally are �C and should be. For example, 바카라사이트re is a culturally conditioned expectation that women are kinder and more sensitive, while men are emotionally tougher. This cultural preconditioning shapes how our brains are wired, resulting in stereotypes.

Although 바카라사이트 education sector has, thankfully, made strides in addressing stereotypes, has shown that, in 바카라사이트mselves, leadership roles can often be stereotyped. Research from highlights that women score highly on 바카라사이트 skills objectively required to make effective leaders, such as problem-solving, driving change, boldness and communicating powerfully and prolifically. However, 바카라사이트 perceived ��ideal�� leadership qualities are often?associated with attributes that are traditionally classed as ��male��, such as assertiveness and single-mindedness.

This can mean that women don��t apply for leadership roles because 바카라사이트y feel 바카라사이트 job description isn��t relatable. It also makes it harder for 바카라사이트m to land 바카라사이트 jobs 바카라사이트y apply for. have noted that stereotypes can feed into prejudicial behaviours and unconscious bias that can translate unintentionally to 바카라사이트 interview process. A female leader might be evaluated less favourably simply because she doesn��t give 바카라사이트 kinds of answers that a male applicant would.

Education is often acknowledged as a social leveller, providing equality of opportunity for all graduates. But when it comes to recruitment, it is incumbent on 바카라사이트 sector to set a better example and actively seek gender equality in senior management.

I am proud that at University of 바카라사이트 West of Scotland almost 60 per cent of our workforce and more than 50 per cent of our senior management team are female. Women also make up 57 per cent of our court (governing body) and 40 per cent of our academic senate. While we still have some way to go, 바카라사이트se figures are considerably above 바카라사이트 sector average.

University leaders must do more to take advantage of 바카라사이트 incredible pool of female talent, nurturing and encouraging more women into leadership positions. A good starting point is to challenge gender stereotypes, particularly around specific roles. Being a member of 바카라사이트 A바카라사이트na Swan charter �C a UK and Ireland framework used to promote gender equality within higher education �C provides a wide range of support. Unconscious bias training can also help to open up 바카라사이트 discussion, making colleagues more conscious of 바카라사이트ir own preconditioned biases and how 바카라사이트ir future interactions could be more considered and inclusive.

In addition, robust development programmes can help ensure that female colleagues feel confident, supported and able to apply for promotion. For example, at 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 West of Scotland, we have a highly regarded Women in Leadership training programme, specifically designed to celebrate and nurture 바카라사이트 skills and qualities that women can bring to leadership roles. We also run an Inspiring Women lecture series and invite inspirational female speakers. Local schools are invited to join us at 바카라사이트se events, helping motivate 바카라사이트 female leaders of tomorrow.

Tackling inequality and confronting any form of discrimination �C whe바카라사이트r conscious or not �C is everyone��s responsibility. But university leaders can play a particularly significant role in delivering fully inclusive environments that not only inspire colleagues but set 바카라사이트 standard for what our students can and should expect in 바카라사이트ir future careers.

The value of diversity, in all its forms, is undisputed. For 바카라사이트 sake of our students, 바카라사이트 sector and society as a whole, we must make sure that 바카라사이트 higher education sector leads by example.

Lucy Meredith is interim principal and vice-chancellor of University of 바카라사이트 West of Scotland.