Kai Yu is Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Graduate Education, Graduate School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he also advises PhD students. His research focuses on higher education in China, graduate education, and higher education management. Kai Yu has published in leading journals in China including Educational Research, Journal of Higher Education, and Peking University Education Review. He has also written for newspapers such as China Education Daily. Kai Yu obtained his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degree from University of Oxford in the field of educational studies. He studied computer science at Queen’s University of Belfast where he received Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with First Class Honours.Yinhan Wang is a postgraduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Graduate School of Education, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.

• CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.- 1.1 BACKGROUND.- 1.2 RESEARCH ORIGIN.- 1.3 RESEARCH PURPOSE.- 1.4 RESEARCH VALUE.- 1.4.1 Theoretical Value.- 1.4.2 Practical Value.- 1.5 DEFINITION OF CORE CONCEPTS.- 1.5.1 Glass Ceiling.- 1.5.2 Leadership.- 1.5.3 Group Characteristics.- 1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW.- 1.6.1 Women’s Professions and Power.- 1.6.2 Women’s Leadership.- 1.6.3 Obstacles to Women’s Professional Development.- 1.6.4 Measures Supporting Women’s Status.- 1.6.5 Group Characteristics of University Leaders.- 1.6.6 Women Leaders in Chinese Universities.- 1.7 SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW.- 1.8 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS.- 1.8.1 Overall Design.- 1.8.2 Research Questions.- 1.8.3 Research Subjects.- 1.8.4 Research Methods.- 1.9 TECHNICAL ROAD MAP.- 1.9.1 Data Collection.- 1.9.2 Data Analysis.- 1.10 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY.- 1.10.1 Validity.- 1.10.2 Reliability.- 1.11 ETHICAL ISSUES.- 1.12 INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS.- 1.12.1 Innovations.- 1.12.2 Challenges.- 1.12.3 Limitations.- CHAPTER 2 DATA.- 2.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 2.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 2.3 ACADEMIC TITLES AND HONORS.- 2.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 2.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- CHAPTER 3 GROUP CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN LEADERS.- 3.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 3.1.1 Gender Ratio.- 3.1.2 Institutions.- 3.1.3 Positions.- 3.1.4 Duties.- 3.1.5 Age.- 3.1.6 Ethnicity.- 3.1.7 Political Affiliation.- 3.1.8 Service Mobility.- 3.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 3.2.1 Highest Degree Earned.- 3.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 3.3.1 Academic Titles and Honors.- 3.3.2 Research Area.- 3.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 3.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- 3.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 4 DIFFERENCES IN FEMALE LEADER CHARACTERISTICS BY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY TYPE.- 4.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 4.1.1 Age.- 4.1.2 Ethnicity.- 4.1.3 Political Affiliation.- 4.1.4 Positions.- 4.1.5 Duties.- 4.1.6 Service Mobility.- 4.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 4.2.1 Highest Degree Earned.- 4.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 4.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 4.4 INTERNATIONALEXPERIENCE.- 4.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- 4.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 5 DIFFERENCES IN THE FEMALE LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT POSITIONS.- 5.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 5.1.1 Ages.- 5.1.2 Schools.- 5.1.3 Duties.- 5.1.4 Ethnicity.- 5.1.5 Political Affiliation.- 5.1.6 Service Mobility.- 5.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 5.2.1 Highest Degree.- 5.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 5.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 5.3.1 Academic Titles.- 5.3.2 Research Area.- 5.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 5.5 PROMOTION METHOD AND WORK EXPERIENCE.- 5.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 6 DIFFERENCES IN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE LEADERS IN RELATION TO THEIR DIFFERENT DUTIES.- 6.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 6.1.1 Age.- 6.1.2 Schools.- 6.1.3 Positions.- 6.1.4 Ethnicity.- 6.1.5 Service Mobility.- 6.2 EDUCATION BACKGROUND.- 6.2.1 Highest Degree.- 6.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 6.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 6.3.1 Academic Titles.- 6.3.2 Research Area.- 6.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 6.5 PROMOTION METHOD AND WORK EXPERIENCE.- 6.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 7 AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP.- 7.1 EXPLORING THE REASONS BEHIND BOTTLENECKS FACING FEMALE LEADERS.- 7.1.1 Analysis of Factors Influencing the School Hierarchy.- 7.1.2 Analysis of the Factors Affecting Leaders’ Positions.- 7.1.3 An Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Distribution of Duties.- 7.1.4 Summary of Reasons.- 7.2 EXPLORING THE REASONS FOR FEMALE LEADERS' SUCCESS.- 7.2.1 Objective Factors.- 7.2.2 Subjective Factors.- CHAPTER 8 DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION.- 8.1 PROFESSIONAL WOMEN WHO ARE STANDING AT THE PRECIPICE OF A NEW ERA.- 8.2 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SELECTING AND APPOINTING FEMALE LEADERS.- 8.3 RESEARCH THINKING AND ENLIGHTENMENT.- REFERENCES.

Kai Yu is Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Graduate Education, Graduate School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he also advises PhD students. His research focuses on higher education in China, graduate education, and higher education management. Kai Yu has published in leading journals in China including Educational Research, Journal of Higher Education, and Peking University Education Review. He has also written for newspapers such as China Education Daily. Kai Yu obtained his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degree from University of Oxford in the field of educational studies. He studied computer science at Queen’s University of Belfast where he received Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with First Class Honours.Yinhan Wang is a postgraduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Graduate School of Education, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.

• CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.- 1.1 BACKGROUND.- 1.2 RESEARCH ORIGIN.- 1.3 RESEARCH PURPOSE.- 1.4 RESEARCH VALUE.- 1.4.1 Theoretical Value.- 1.4.2 Practical Value.- 1.5 DEFINITION OF CORE CONCEPTS.- 1.5.1 Glass Ceiling.- 1.5.2 Leadership.- 1.5.3 Group Characteristics.- 1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW.- 1.6.1 Women’s Professions and Power.- 1.6.2 Women’s Leadership.- 1.6.3 Obstacles to Women’s Professional Development.- 1.6.4 Measures Supporting Women’s Status.- 1.6.5 Group Characteristics of University Leaders.- 1.6.6 Women Leaders in Chinese Universities.- 1.7 SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW.- 1.8 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS.- 1.8.1 Overall Design.- 1.8.2 Research Questions.- 1.8.3 Research Subjects.- 1.8.4 Research Methods.- 1.9 TECHNICAL ROAD MAP.- 1.9.1 Data Collection.- 1.9.2 Data Analysis.- 1.10 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY.- 1.10.1 Validity.- 1.10.2 Reliability.- 1.11 ETHICAL ISSUES.- 1.12 INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS.- 1.12.1 Innovations.- 1.12.2 Challenges.- 1.12.3 Limitations.- CHAPTER 2 DATA.- 2.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 2.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 2.3 ACADEMIC TITLES AND HONORS.- 2.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 2.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- CHAPTER 3 GROUP CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN LEADERS.- 3.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 3.1.1 Gender Ratio.- 3.1.2 Institutions.- 3.1.3 Positions.- 3.1.4 Duties.- 3.1.5 Age.- 3.1.6 Ethnicity.- 3.1.7 Political Affiliation.- 3.1.8 Service Mobility.- 3.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 3.2.1 Highest Degree Earned.- 3.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 3.3.1 Academic Titles and Honors.- 3.3.2 Research Area.- 3.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 3.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- 3.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 4 DIFFERENCES IN FEMALE LEADER CHARACTERISTICS BY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY TYPE.- 4.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 4.1.1 Age.- 4.1.2 Ethnicity.- 4.1.3 Political Affiliation.- 4.1.4 Positions.- 4.1.5 Duties.- 4.1.6 Service Mobility.- 4.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 4.2.1 Highest Degree Earned.- 4.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 4.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 4.4 INTERNATIONALEXPERIENCE.- 4.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- 4.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 5 DIFFERENCES IN THE FEMALE LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT POSITIONS.- 5.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 5.1.1 Ages.- 5.1.2 Schools.- 5.1.3 Duties.- 5.1.4 Ethnicity.- 5.1.5 Political Affiliation.- 5.1.6 Service Mobility.- 5.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 5.2.1 Highest Degree.- 5.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 5.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 5.3.1 Academic Titles.- 5.3.2 Research Area.- 5.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 5.5 PROMOTION METHOD AND WORK EXPERIENCE.- 5.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 6 DIFFERENCES IN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE LEADERS IN RELATION TO THEIR DIFFERENT DUTIES.- 6.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 6.1.1 Age.- 6.1.2 Schools.- 6.1.3 Positions.- 6.1.4 Ethnicity.- 6.1.5 Service Mobility.- 6.2 EDUCATION BACKGROUND.- 6.2.1 Highest Degree.- 6.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 6.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 6.3.1 Academic Titles.- 6.3.2 Research Area.- 6.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 6.5 PROMOTION METHOD AND WORK EXPERIENCE.- 6.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 7 AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP.- 7.1 EXPLORING THE REASONS BEHIND BOTTLENECKS FACING FEMALE LEADERS.- 7.1.1 Analysis of Factors Influencing the School Hierarchy.- 7.1.2 Analysis of the Factors Affecting Leaders’ Positions.- 7.1.3 An Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Distribution of Duties.- 7.1.4 Summary of Reasons.- 7.2 EXPLORING THE REASONS FOR FEMALE LEADERS' SUCCESS.- 7.2.1 Objective Factors.- 7.2.2 Subjective Factors.- CHAPTER 8 DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION.- 8.1 PROFESSIONAL WOMEN WHO ARE STANDING AT THE PRECIPICE OF A NEW ERA.- 8.2 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SELECTING AND APPOINTING FEMALE LEADERS.- 8.3 RESEARCH THINKING AND ENLIGHTENMENT.- REFERENCES.

Kai Yu is Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Graduate Education, Graduate School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he also advises PhD students. His research focuses on higher education in China, graduate education, and higher education management. Kai Yu has published in leading journals in China including Educational Research, Journal of Higher Education, and Peking University Education Review. He has also written for newspapers such as China Education Daily. Kai Yu obtained his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degree from University of Oxford in the field of educational studies. He studied computer science at Queen’s University of Belfast where he received Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with First Class Honours.Yinhan Wang is a postgraduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Graduate School of Education, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.

• CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.- 1.1 BACKGROUND.- 1.2 RESEARCH ORIGIN.- 1.3 RESEARCH PURPOSE.- 1.4 RESEARCH VALUE.- 1.4.1 Theoretical Value.- 1.4.2 Practical Value.- 1.5 DEFINITION OF CORE CONCEPTS.- 1.5.1 Glass Ceiling.- 1.5.2 Leadership.- 1.5.3 Group Characteristics.- 1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW.- 1.6.1 Women’s Professions and Power.- 1.6.2 Women’s Leadership.- 1.6.3 Obstacles to Women’s Professional Development.- 1.6.4 Measures Supporting Women’s Status.- 1.6.5 Group Characteristics of University Leaders.- 1.6.6 Women Leaders in Chinese Universities.- 1.7 SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW.- 1.8 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS.- 1.8.1 Overall Design.- 1.8.2 Research Questions.- 1.8.3 Research Subjects.- 1.8.4 Research Methods.- 1.9 TECHNICAL ROAD MAP.- 1.9.1 Data Collection.- 1.9.2 Data Analysis.- 1.10 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY.- 1.10.1 Validity.- 1.10.2 Reliability.- 1.11 ETHICAL ISSUES.- 1.12 INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS.- 1.12.1 Innovations.- 1.12.2 Challenges.- 1.12.3 Limitations.- CHAPTER 2 DATA.- 2.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 2.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 2.3 ACADEMIC TITLES AND HONORS.- 2.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 2.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- CHAPTER 3 GROUP CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN LEADERS.- 3.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 3.1.1 Gender Ratio.- 3.1.2 Institutions.- 3.1.3 Positions.- 3.1.4 Duties.- 3.1.5 Age.- 3.1.6 Ethnicity.- 3.1.7 Political Affiliation.- 3.1.8 Service Mobility.- 3.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 3.2.1 Highest Degree Earned.- 3.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 3.3.1 Academic Titles and Honors.- 3.3.2 Research Area.- 3.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 3.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- 3.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 4 DIFFERENCES IN FEMALE LEADER CHARACTERISTICS BY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY TYPE.- 4.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 4.1.1 Age.- 4.1.2 Ethnicity.- 4.1.3 Political Affiliation.- 4.1.4 Positions.- 4.1.5 Duties.- 4.1.6 Service Mobility.- 4.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 4.2.1 Highest Degree Earned.- 4.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 4.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 4.4 INTERNATIONALEXPERIENCE.- 4.5 WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTION METHOD.- 4.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 5 DIFFERENCES IN THE FEMALE LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT POSITIONS.- 5.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 5.1.1 Ages.- 5.1.2 Schools.- 5.1.3 Duties.- 5.1.4 Ethnicity.- 5.1.5 Political Affiliation.- 5.1.6 Service Mobility.- 5.2 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.- 5.2.1 Highest Degree.- 5.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 5.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 5.3.1 Academic Titles.- 5.3.2 Research Area.- 5.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 5.5 PROMOTION METHOD AND WORK EXPERIENCE.- 5.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 6 DIFFERENCES IN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE LEADERS IN RELATION TO THEIR DIFFERENT DUTIES.- 6.1 BASIC INFORMATION.- 6.1.1 Age.- 6.1.2 Schools.- 6.1.3 Positions.- 6.1.4 Ethnicity.- 6.1.5 Service Mobility.- 6.2 EDUCATION BACKGROUND.- 6.2.1 Highest Degree.- 6.2.2 Graduation Institutions.- 6.3 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.- 6.3.1 Academic Titles.- 6.3.2 Research Area.- 6.4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.- 6.5 PROMOTION METHOD AND WORK EXPERIENCE.- 6.6 RESULTS.- CHAPTER 7 AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP.- 7.1 EXPLORING THE REASONS BEHIND BOTTLENECKS FACING FEMALE LEADERS.- 7.1.1 Analysis of Factors Influencing the School Hierarchy.- 7.1.2 Analysis of the Factors Affecting Leaders’ Positions.- 7.1.3 An Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Distribution of Duties.- 7.1.4 Summary of Reasons.- 7.2 EXPLORING THE REASONS FOR FEMALE LEADERS' SUCCESS.- 7.2.1 Objective Factors.- 7.2.2 Subjective Factors.- CHAPTER 8 DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION.- 8.1 PROFESSIONAL WOMEN WHO ARE STANDING AT THE PRECIPICE OF A NEW ERA.- 8.2 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SELECTING AND APPOINTING FEMALE LEADERS.- 8.3 RESEARCH THINKING AND ENLIGHTENMENT.- REFERENCES.