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Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 3, 585 - 625, 28.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1624407

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.

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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There are 64 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Leadership in Education
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Xiaomei Zhang 0009-0007-7846-7099

Tony Bush 0000-0001-8995-6057

Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng 0000-0002-3512-4244

Publication Date September 28, 2025
Submission Date January 23, 2025
Acceptance Date July 3, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 10 Issue: 3

Cite

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 Zhang X, Bush T, Ng AYM. Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China. REAL. September 2025;10(3):585-625. doi:10.30828/real.1624407
Chicago Zhang, Xiaomei, Tony Bush, and Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng. “Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10, no. 3 (September 2025): 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 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, 2025, doi: 10.30828/real.1624407.
ISNAD Zhang, Xiaomei et al. “Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10/3 (September2025), 585-625. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1624407.
JAMA 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, 2025, pp. 585-2, doi:10.30828/real.1624407.
Vancouver Zhang X, Bush T, Ng AYM. Career Advancement of Female Principals in Public Schools in China. REAL. 2025;10(3):585-62.


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