The percentage of women in leadership roles, as defined by both Leadership and Superintendents Quality Standards (LQS and SLQS) of Alberta Education, declines as the level of leadership increases. The Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) has never had a woman as its Executive Secretary, and a mere 13% of school superintendents are women. Yet, The Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund reported that in 2017, 76% of the teaching population was female. Research at the intersection of gender highlights various factors that come to play for women in leadership: family life, caretaking, socio-cultural roles and perceptions, age, race, ethnicity, education and economics. Through a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant held between the University of Alberta, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and the College of Alberta School Superintendents, Dr. Samira ElAtia (UAlberta) and Dr. Elissa Corsi (Alberta Teachers’ Association) aim to delve into understanding the intersections of gender in educational leadership by reaching out to school divisions across the province.

They ask questions like: What are the beliefs and perceptions of school leaders regarding the role and effect of family leaves on entry and progression in educational leadership? What are the beliefs of school leaders, including both strengths and challenges, regarding the role of unpaid labour on the entry and progression in educational leadership? How are the intersectionalities of gender with race, ethnicity, age, education and family status reflected in school leadership in Alberta?