The Accent Ceiling: Intersections of Non-Native Accents and Gender in Leadership Experiences of Women

Komal Kalra, Magdalena Viktora-Jones & Tomke J. Augustin

AIB Insights Vol. 25, Issue 2, 2025

Abstract

Women with non-native accents face difficulties being perceived as having the knowledgeand skills needed for promotions into leadership positions. While women already facegender bias, epistemic injustice because of their accents adds to their unjust treatment.We urge management to explore the realities of epistemic injustices and to actively lookfor their unconscious prejudices that lead to injustices for women with accents. Weprovide recommendations on how managers can create fair and inclusive leadership forwomen with non-native accents by adding an intersectional and epistemic injustice lensto the glass ceiling phenomenon.

DOI: 10.46697/001c.133651