A Career with a View: Agentic Perspectives of Women Faculty

Abstract

This study examined how women faculty in one research university enacted agency via perspectives that facilitated their career advancement amidst gendered organizational practices. Archer's (2003) critical realist theory of agency and inner conversations and Acker's (2006) work on gendered organizations guided analysis. Four perspectives adopted by women associate and full professors to achieve their goals are described and analyzed. These four perspectives contributed toward agentic actions, as well as women's satisfaction and well-being. The strengths and the limitations of supporting agentic perspectives as a way to advance gender equity and organizational change are presented.

• faculty agency
• career advancement
• women faculty

Additional information

Notes on contributors

KerryAnn O'Meara

KerryAnn O'Meara is Associate Professor of Higher Education and Affiliate Faculty in Women's Studies at the University of Maryland; [email protected].