Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China

Xiaomei Zhang; Tony Bush; Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng

doi:10.30828/real.1624407

Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Before data collection, ethical approval was sought and received from the University Ethics Board. All participants provided written informed consent prior to participate in this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Leadership in Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Xiaomei Zhang ^*
0009-0007-7846-7099
China

Tony Bush
0000-0001-8995-6057
United Kingdom

Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng
0000-0002-3512-4244
China

Publication Date

September 28, 2025

Submission Date

January 23, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 3, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1624407

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA96JU32HB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Zhang, X., Bush, T., & Ng, A. Y. M. (2025). Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 10(3), 585-625. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1624407

AMA

1.Zhang X, Bush T, Ng AYM. Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China. REAL. 2025;10(3):585-625. doi:10.30828/real.1624407

Chicago

Zhang, Xiaomei, Tony Bush, and Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng. 2025. “Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10 (3): 585-625. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1624407.

EndNote

Zhang X, Bush T, Ng AYM (September 1, 2025) Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10 3 585–625.

IEEE

[1]X. Zhang, T. Bush, and A. Y. M. Ng, “Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China”, REAL, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 585–625, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.30828/real.1624407.

ISNAD

Zhang, Xiaomei - Bush, Tony - Ng, Ashley Yoon Mooi. “Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10/3 (September 1, 2025): 585-625. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1624407.

JAMA

1.Zhang X, Bush T, Ng AYM. Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China. REAL. 2025;10:585–625.

MLA

Zhang, Xiaomei, et al. “Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, vol. 10, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 585-2, doi:10.30828/real.1624407.

Vancouver

1.Xiaomei Zhang, Tony Bush, Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng. Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China. REAL. 2025 Sep. 1;10(3):585-62. doi:10.30828/real.1624407