Where are the women deans? The importance of gender bias and self‐selection processes for the deanship ambition of female and male professors

The study addressed the underrepresentation of women in university leadership by focusing on middle management role dean. This research set forth two processes that may affect female and male professors' ambition to become a dean: (a) gender bias whereby stakeholders are more likely recommend men than for deanships, (b) self-selection find deanships appealing do. A multisource, time-lagged 278 professors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland found both being recommended deanship finding position related positively ambitions professors. In contrast perspective, were equally be with recommendations reflecting prior administrative experience. Consistent perception among deans their greater endorsement communal career goals (e.g., serving community) appeal position, which turn own contrast, agentic receiving recognition) Overall, these findings suggest policies increase number should make salient presence other roles also potential fulfill goals.