Human Rights Commission
Media Release

8 June, 2007

Bid to break through glass ceiling at universities

The first nationwide leadership programme for senior academic women starts monday, (June 11) in a bid to improve the number and status of women at the top in the tertiary sector.

Twenty participants from the eight New Zealand universities have been chosen by their institutions for the residential programme in Wellington which will be launched by the Speaker Hon. Margaret Wilson, a former Foundation Dean and Professor of Law at Waikato University.

“The programme is long overdue given that women still only represent 16.9% of professors and associate professors in New Zealand,” said EEO Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor.

“All of the women chosen are senior lecturers or above and we hope to see them becoming professors, deans and vice-chancellors in future.”

The Human Rights Commission and representatives of Auckland and Massey Universities were involved in establishing the programme which will run twice a year, with the second programme in September.

The week long programme has been endorsed by the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee and partly funded by the Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust. The first programme was over-subscribed with Otago, Canterbury, Massey and Waikato sending three women to the first course, instead of two.

“This shows how much interest there is from academic women themselves and from universities to develop the potential of outstanding women,” Dr McGregor said.

Australian academic Professor Eleanor Ramsay will speak on managing change, including transformation, conflict and negotiation, and a range of senior women from universities, and the public and private sectors will provide networking opportunities for senior academic women.

A debate pits a team of female MPs, the Hon Marian Hobbs, Sue Kedgley and Dr Jackie Blue against women leaders in public service Jane Diplock, Securities Commission, Marie Shroff, the Privacy Commissioner and Joy Liddicoat, Human Rights Commission with the topic: “Why are there so few women politicians and so many women in public service?” will be held Monday night facilitated by Race Relations Commissioner, Joris De Bres at the Museum Hotel, Wellington.

ENDS

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