TY  - JOUR
T1  - Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China
AU  - Zhang, Xiaomei
AU  - Bush, Tony
AU  - Ng, Ashley Yoon Mooi
PY  - 2025
DA  - September
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.30828/real.1624407
JF  - Research in Educational Administration and Leadership
JO  - REAL
PB  - Educational Administration Research and Development Association
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2564-7261
SP  - 585
EP  - 625
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
LA  - en
AB  - This article reports on the factors that promote and support the career advancement of six female principals in public schools in a city on the southeastern coast of China. A qualitative research approach, through semi-structured interviews and document analysis, was adopted to explore those factors and obtain comprehensive and in-depth information. Data was coded and analyzed thematically through content analysis. Social identity theory and self-categorization theory provide the theoretical framework for this study, guiding data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The findings suggest five major factors: government policies, progressive outlook in the region, relationship building, support from mentors and family, and strong human capital. These five considerations build towards two overarching themes: deconstructed gender power relations and identity depersonalization. This study concludes with theoretical and practical implications, and future research recommendations for gender and educational leadership and management.
KW  - female principals
KW  - career advancement
KW  - public schools
KW  - China
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1624407
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4540735
ER  -