Gendered leadership experiences of department chairs at a West Canadian University

Abstract

The session included the preliminary findings of a doctoral study that explored how department chairs, at a publicly funded West Canadian university, experienced leadership development. Themes emerging from 19 semi-structured interviews with male and female faculty in these roles were explored, compared and contrasted including the role of emotions. The research informs the kinds of development programs or supports that would be most helpful to faculty considering academic leadership appointments. The research seeks to offer recommendations to the institution being studied however findings may be transferable to other types of organizations and leaders.