Women under-represented at universities in Hong Kong

Hong Kong should be embarrassed by the findings of too few women in academic research and senior management. This can change with an effort to promote an interest in research and open the top jobs to capable women candidates, writes Katherine Forestier for the South China Morning Post.

Women are woefully under-represented in senior positions in higher education institutions, and even in the junior ranks, according to data published by the University Grants Committee (UGC). Universities fall behind on women’s participation in higher education leadership. The UGC data shows just 18.8% of senior academic staff are women, with not a single one in the top leadership position. Contrast that with the global picture: among the top 200 universities, as ranked Times Higher Education, 17% are led by a woman.

Universities across Hong Kong are now preparing for the Research Assessment Exercise 2020. But gender equity and diversity do not feature in any of the criteria for assessment.
Full report on the South China Morning Post site