Women in leader roles within higher education in Bangladesh

Abstract

Women have long been under-represented in organization leader roles within higher education. Research has identified, mapped and examined the data, with recommendations for change. The research reported in this article adds to current knowledge, and raises methodological questions by focusing on senior female leaders in higher education in Bangladesh. Using a narrative approach to the construction of professional biographies, the study seeks to explore and understand the complex situations that Bangladeshi women in leader roles encounter and negotiate in their work and careers. This project makes a contribution to the field through not only adding more evidence, but also providing new insights into the contextual context in which women are aspiring to and securing senior roles. In addition, we help to inform the research design agenda by identifying a lack of information regarding the composition of the higher education workforce in Bangladesh, where the data in the public domain are neither sufficient nor robust.