Unlocking the potential of FEMALE leaders in education 

Women must have more leadership opportunities and roles to improve society for us all. Whilst this is not unique to education, academia can set the bar.

Universities and colleges are places where women can access leadership skills, best practice for gender policies can be demonstrated, and new research on gender issues can be pioneered.

Women in leadership roles within universities and colleges can encourage more women to pursue leadership and counteract unconscious gender biases: transforming society so that it works better for everyone.

What we have done so far

We worked with a consortium of partners, including the African Association of Universities (AAU) and the Ghanaian Government's National Council of Tertiary Education (NCTE), to lead a study on higher education staff and academics in Ghana. We found that only 8% of professors at public universities were women across the whole of the country.

This, coupled with the country’s need of 5 times the current number of professors to meet its booming student population, shows the need for more female leaders is urgent.

In Nigeria, the situation is similar, with only 17% of principle officers at universities being female. 

We are researching this topic alongside female leaders from across Africa, including holding focus groups and interviews.

Our African Evidence Research Database profiles African-led research, including female academics so they can gain funding and exposure.

We have also created a database called the 'African Scholarships Hub' to support young people in sub-Saharan Africa to find scholarships and funding.

We are building a coalition of universities, colleges, and organisations with expertise in women's leadership. Together we will co-create solutions based on the evidence we find through our research. These solutions will address the barriers women face and inform education policy and delivery in universities, colleges and beyond.