Discussion and Conclusions

This chapter synthesises findings from earlier chapters into a discursive look at the main contributions our data have made to debates around academic and professional services women’s careers and leadership in HE. The discussion considers the experiences and perceptions of women as they navigate power and politics of HEIs through engagement with leadership in gendered organisations. We consider the efficacy of career and leadership initiatives aimed at women, acknowledging the complexity of this in practice. We also discuss what our data show in relation to the quality of working life and what this means for women in HE workplaces. We suggest that there is a necessity for sociological perspectives on such data to foreground structural issues that require recognition. The chapter concludes with reflections on the methodology and next steps for research.