Women as department chairs at universities in South Africa and Britain
Abstract
English: The article reports on the findings of a qualitative inquiry into the lived experiences
of a small sample of women chairs at universities in South Africa and Britain
selected by purposeful sampling. Data were collected by means of video conference
focus group interviews. Findings indicated that women department chairs require
managerial competencies: rigorous scholarship as well as certain structures and
procedures are necessary for the smooth management of a department. They face
broader contextual issues in higher education owing to change, and the dual role
influences their career experiences. Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel rapporteer oor ’n kwalitatiewe ondersoek na die bestuurservarings
van vroulike voorsitters aan geselekteerde universiteite in Suid-Afrika en Brittanje,
geïdentifiseer volgens doelgerigte steekproefneming. Data is met fokusgroeponderhoude
per videokonferensie ingesamel. Die bevindings dui daarop dat vroulike
voorsitters van departemente ’n behoefte het aan spesifieke bestuursvaardighede:
nougesette vakkundigheid asook sekere strukture en prosedures is noodsaaklik vir
effektiewe bestuur van ’n departement. Hulle het te kampe met breër kontekstuele
vraagstukke weens verandering in hoëronderwys, en hul dubbele rol beïnvloed hul
loopbaanervarings.