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A Women-Only Leadership Development Program: Facilitating Access to Authority for Women in Swedish Higher Education?

Author

Listed:
  • Helen Peterson

    (Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

This article explores a national women-only leadership development program in Swedish higher education, the so-called IDAS program (an acronym for Identity, Development, Advancement, Support). IDAS encouraged and supported women academics to pursue leadership/administrative careers in higher education and was a unique intervention, aiming to increase the number of women Rectors. By drawing on interviews with some of the women who participated in the IDAS program and subsequently became Rectors, the article provides a valuable case study over best practices to increase women senior leaders in higher education. Notwithstanding the success of the leadership program, the article also deals with resistance and criticism linked to equal opportunity initiatives such as this. The article analyzes the criticism voiced by the women interviewed and suggests that it can be understood in relation to different conceptions of gender and gender (in)equality.

Suggested Citation

  • Helen Peterson, 2019. "A Women-Only Leadership Development Program: Facilitating Access to Authority for Women in Swedish Higher Education?," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:5:p:137-:d:227850
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Barbara Bagilhole & Kate White, 2011. "Towards Interventions for Senior Women in Higher Education," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Barbara Bagilhole & Kate White (ed.), Gender, Power and Management, chapter 8, pages 192-205, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Van den Brink, Marieke & Stobbe, Lineke, 2014. "The support paradox: Overcoming dilemmas in gender equality programs," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 163-174.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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