Unveiling Gendered Perceptions of Leadership: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of Academic Department Leaders' Narratives

Abstract

Gender differences in academic leadership in Pakistan are prevalent and are generally attributed to institutional biases and broader societal norms. While more women pursue higher education, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions. Besides women's professional advancement, this gender disparity also influences the narratives in academic leadership. It repeatedly reiterates conventional views that connect determination and power with masculinity (Ahmed, 2018; UNESCO, 2024). Several studies confirmed that gendered perspectives have a strong impact on the consideration of leadership attributes. Particularly, it happens in patriarchal academic settings (Khan, 2020; Malik, 2019).