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Female faculty report less job satisfaction, fewer leadership roles

In academic practice, women often report lower levels of professional satisfaction and are more likely to be of lower faculty rank than their male counterparts.

From 2008 to 2012, academic faculty members at the University of Michigan Medical School were surveyed on their current position, choice of position, professional satisfaction and desire for leaving.

At each time point, male faculty were more likely to be appointed to an instructional track compared to female faculty (2008, 45% vs 20%; 2010, 47% vs 20% and 2012, 49% vs 20%), with females being more likely to be appointed to a clinical track.

Female faculty also were typically of a lower rank than male counterparts, with the gap diminishing slightly by 2012, but still significant.

Females were less likely to be engaged in both clinical and research activities and more often reported accommodating a work-life balance compared to male faculty.

Males more often chose their position for the opportunity of tenure with slightly higher professional satisfaction across each year.

Male faculty more often left positions for leadership opportunities elsewhere and compensation compared to female faculty, who reported leaving for personal reasons.

“Faculty attrition rates may differ by gender, yet all faculty have similar job desires and priorities, and identifying common criticisms among all faculty can direct resources to optimize faculty satisfaction and productivity,” the researchers wrote. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.