Academic women’s promotions in
Australian universities
Hilary Winchester, Shard Lorenzo and Lyn Browning
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia, and
Colleen Chesterman
Women’s Executive Development Program,
Australian Technology Network of Universities,
University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine the hypothesis that under-representation of
women in Australian universities reflects barriers in the academic promotion process.
Design/methodology/approach – This study uses three complementary approaches. Promotion
policies and guidelines are examined using content analysis of documents from all Australian
universities. A sample of 17 universities was selected for interviews with key gatekeepers to examine
promotions practice. Data on promotions by level and gender were analysed for 16 of these universities
2000-2002.
Findings – The analysis of promotions policies and guidelines established a range of practice.
Policies supporting women’s participation and success in promotions included explicit consideration
of part-time and non-traditional careers, clear equity statements, and gender representation on
promotions committees. Interviews emphasised the importance of support for and identification of
female candidates, and the need for the establishment of institution-wide and performance targets for
senior managers. Implicitly, most interviewees accepted the premise that women experienced barriers
in the promotion process, including reticence in applying and stereotypically gendered notions of
merit. However, the analysis of promotions data showed a more encouraging picture. Application rates
and success rates for women are similar to men’s and, at professorial level, slightly higher. Nonetheless
women remain under-represented at senior levels, comprising only 16 per cent of the professoriate.
Practical implications – The study provided a report to the Australian Vice-Chancellors’
Committee (AVCC) with a number of recommendations for improving University promotions policies.
These recommendations are available on the AVCC website and have applicability beyond the
Australian university sector.
Originality/value – This study is an original study across all Australian universities which has
international applicability and policy relevance.
Keywords Australia, Universities, Promotion, Academic staff, Women, Gender discrimination
Paper type Research paper
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The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the following: The Australian Vice-Chancellors
Committee (AVCC) and the Vice Chancellors who funded the project through the National
Colloquium of Senior Women Executives in Higher Education; The National Colloquium of
Senior Women Executives in Higher Education for endorsing and supporting the research; The
Australian Technology Network (ATN) Women’s Executive Development Program (ATN
WEXDEV) for generous in-kind support, in particular the work of Jane Clifford;University staff
who participated in the interviews; The University of South Australia for generous in-kind
support, in particular the contributions of Julia Hinsliff, Sarah Wendt, Madeleine Regan, Sally
James and Briony Ster