Globalisation, higher education restructuring and women in leadership: opportunities or threats?

In this article we explore how processes of globalisation and restructuring higher education (HE) appear to be impacting on the work of women in leadership and gender equity in HE in South Africa today. We also aim to problematise the apparent effects of the complex interrelationship between globalisation (corporatisation - managerialism and marketisation), HE reform and gender equity. Globalisation is perceived as holding both opportunity and threat to higher education - it defers redress in terms of gender equity. In some instances, fast tracking women into leadership positions has raised questions about sustainability, support and commitment to change. We have chosen to frame the issues through a small exploratory case study drawing on the experiences of five women in leadership1 at one South African university. Reprinted by permission of Agenda