ABSTRACT
Throughout the research process, people have been aware of the challenges of assuming causal links between the patterns that they found and the choices that might be suggested, particularly in relation to career pathways. Routes towards the top job are not significantly different in the two countries. Just over 20% of new appointments are made from the cohort of existing head of universities, a further 40% are promotions from a deputy role. More recently, there have been calls from the Chartered Association of Business Schools for more deans of business schools to lead institutions, stating that they have the necessary skills and experience in today’s climate. Some broad differences come up within and across the two countries. The social sciences dominate in both countries, at over 40%. There is a higher concentration in the sciences in Australia than in the United Kingdom (UK) and a lower percentage in the arts and humanities and engineering in Australia than in the UK.
