The advancement of women faculty at very high research universities in the United States

Abstract

For over 140 years, women faculty in the United States has struggled to reach the pinnacle of the academic tenure ladder -- the rank of tenured full professor. In 2011, women represented only 29% of tenured professors (U.S. Department of Education, 2012). This mixed-methods study sought to identify individual or groups of discrete factors, and holistically examine any inter-relatedness, which may influence the successful promotion of women faculty to professor. Through interviews with senior administrative leaders at eight private, U.S. non-profit Research I (very high research) Universities, 27, often inter-connected, themes emerged. Specific institutional policies, programs, mechanisms, and best practices were identified as potential pathways for organizational change for those institutions seeking to address this long-standing issue in academia.