Members of Barry University’s School of Professional and Career Education (PACE) recently joined leaders in the field of gender equality to present research at the Fourth Oxford Women’s Leadership Symposium. Barry was represented by PACE Dean Andrea Keener, PhD, Assistant Dean Carole Huberman, PhD, and Associate Dean Cynthia Davis, PhD. The team presented a paper which explored the ways in which prominent Catholic and Jewish women religious leaders exemplify spirituality in their management and decision-making styles.
The professors’ paper, “Using Storytelling Research Methodology to Explore the Intersection of Leadership and Spirituality among Women Religious Leaders,” examined the leadership styles of two rabbis, and two religious sisters in leadership positions. The focus of the study was how these very dynamic and diverse leaders exercise their spirituality in decision making and problem solving within their organizations and communities.
The team chose to utilize story telling research methodology, because, according to Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, stories are the core of all that makes us human.
The Oxford Women’s Leadership Symposium is designed as series of seminars for presentation of papers and ideas regarding gender equity and fairness in leadership opportunities in the social and economic structures of society. The event took place at Oxford University’s Somerville College on December 9-10, 2014.