Female academics in China : History, experiences of career progression and possibilities for change

Abstract

Female academics have historically had limited employment, career, and leadership prospects due to several barriers such as cultural barriers and the professional structure of higher education. Many studies have been conducted to investigate the status of female academics. They largely focused on Anglo-American, Oceanic, and European contexts. Research on Chinese female academics both internationally and nationally is still scarce. This thesis examines issues pertaining to female academics in China, particularly those related to their work and careers. This article-based thesis comprises five papers on aspects of Chinese female academics. The first paper presents a historical account of female academics’ advancement in universities in China by reviewing secondary literature and sources. It relates to the participation and status of female academics to the particular social economic and political background of China but also to the current societal challenges and needs in China (including future implications). The second paper systematically examines publications focused on Chinese female academics in Chinese national journals. It presents a landscape of the scholarly understanding of the topic, as well as the factors that have shaped them. The last three papers draw on data from 40 semi-structured interviews with male and female academics in a leading research university. Each of these papers has a distinct focus. The third paper explores the experiences of male and female academics concerning career progression and the impacts that cultural expectations have on both male and female academics’ work and careers. The fourth paper examines the experiences and perceptions of gender equality, gender bias and discrimination in Chinese universities. The fifth paper explores the attitudes towards the needs of gender-related changes among male and female academics and also their justifications for maintaining the status quo or taking policy changes to support women’s advancement. The main contribution of this thesis lies in its holistic understanding of the position of female academics in Chinese higher education through a historical perspective and the challenges faced by both male and female academics in the current working and career setup in Chinese universities. It also has implications for addressing the status of female academics and gender equality in higher education by highlighting the role of state (particularly policymakers), higher education institutions, as well as male and female academics themselves to play in removing barriers to women’s advancement and overall potential.