ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a general introduction on the topic of academic career development from a theoretical perspective. Further, it focuses on the gendered aspects of academic career development, differences in the career patterns, and barriers women face throughout their careers. The author argues whether the reason behind these inequalities are individual characteristics or systematic and institutionalized barriers. The chapter also discusses the importance of social capital and how it differs between women and men. Finally, it offers the conceptualization of early, middle, and senior academics that will be utilized later in Part II of this book.
