Why Women Do Not Lead: Patriarchal Politics and Academic Leadership in Bangladesh’s Public Universities

This thesis examines the underrepresentation of women in senior academic leadership positions such as Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Dean in Bangladesh’s public universities. Using qualitative interviews with female faculty members and guided by Role Congruity and Women’s Labyrinth theories, the study explores how patriarchal norms, political cultures, and informal male-dominated networks constrain women’s leadership opportunities. The findings reveal that women’s apparent lack of interest in leadership is often a strategic response to structural barriers rather than a reflection of ambition, offering insights for policy and institutional reforms to promote gender-inclusive governance.

• Supervision