Surviving the Hive in Global Crisis?

Abstract

The metaphorical concept of the ‘Queen Bee' now transcends situational contexts to such an extent that it has become a universal focus for both contexts of research and professional practice. Global crises provide a unique context of perspective for the manifestations of gender inequity to be revealed within the context of leadership and management in higher education. From a historical perspective, a woman whose behaviours were identifiable as being characteristic of a Queen Bee became associated with the notion of projected enmity towards others, typically younger women who may be able to compete with them professionally. Whether or not misogyny in predominantly male-oriented professions has contributed to the need for women to compete in this manner remains an issue of contention, especially in workplace settings where there have been issues of gender inequity in relation to leadership capacity. This chapter illuminates aspects of Queen Bee complex through a lens of perspective which permits a metacognitive consideration of gender-based standpoints in higher education.