This monograph explores some of the explanations commonly proffered to justify the existing pattern of academic women's employment in Australian universities. The research, data, and explanations in this monograph address the university area of the higher education sector only. It examines the adequacy of some of the explanations given for women's concentration in the lower ranks of academic employment. The validity of various explanations is tested by examining them against available relevant data. This examination strongly suggests that academic women experience sex discrimination, particularly systemic or indirect discrimination, in employment in universities. Among the topics discussed concerning women's participation patterns in academic employment are the following: (1) selection and promotion procedures; (2) turnover in academic employment; (3) academic employment and domestic responsibilities; and (4) gender-based differences in academic merit, such as qualifications, publications, teaching ability, and participation in administration. Appendices provide a comparative listing of the proportion of senior academics who are women in various Australian universities between 1980 and 1987, and a list of the Australian universities whose staff statistics are included in the Universities Annual Statistical Collection, 1987. Contains a 48-item bibliography. (GLR)