ABSTRACT
The intention in this book is to uncover the significant contribution of women as senior leaders in universities across Australia and New Zealand. Drawing on narratives from 30 women I examine why women seek to be leaders and how they enact leadership. Importantly, this book draws on the perspectives of 25 women colleagues that provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities and ambiguities women leaders face. This opening chapter introduces the reader to the challenges this book offers to the field, overviews the use of narrative to explore everyday experiences and outlines the central concerns that the book will traverse.
