Academic leadership and the role of gender: where we are and where we are going

To date, females remain underrepresented among senior academic leadership. The evidence for such underrepresentation is indisputable. Yet, the reasons for the gender gap in the leadership circles in higher education institutions are poorly understood, and several arguments are offered to explain if not justify the disparity. This paper reviews the evidence for systematic underrepresentation of females in academic leadership positions, analyzes and refutes the key arguments advanced to explain the gender gap, and reflects on the factors impeding the transition to a more equitable state of affairs. It suggests that a possible strategy to address the inequity may include strategic mentorship by female leaders of male leaders-to-be, and that the imprinting effect such mentorship provides may facilitate closing the gender gap.