Thriving in Academic Leadership

Personal and engaging, the stories in Thriving in Academic Leadership speak to a broad population of academics, serving as an inspiration and guide for academics who aspire to leadership, or are currently in leadership positions, looking to climb the leadership ladder.

One of the clues to successful leadership is the ability to sustain a narrative about an institution’s or an organization’s heritage and direction. Colleges and universities are, or should be, mission-based, student-centered, and market-sensitive, three features that lend themselves to storytelling. By relating the vision of founders and the successes of following generations, leaders can use story telling to make complex ideas comprehendible and inspire new generations. To be believable, the storyteller must demonstrate commitment to the institution and sincere reflection on its foundational principles, as well as the context for decisions and choices, while also sharing their lived experiences. The stories of and by these ten varied reflective leaders help define leadership in practice in multiple university settings and culture around the world. It is an excellent guide for those who occupy, or seek to occupy, the helm of an academic institution.

Demands on institutions of higher education are constantly growing, and recent years, including the Coronavirus pandemic, have complicated academic life in unprecedented ways. The impact of complex and dynamic outside forces, from the pandemic to the interacting socio-cultural, political, economic, and technological factors, calls for strengthened leadership. Yet the 21st century has seen reduced participation by faculty in leadership roles, even though the numbers of faculty globally are rising.

Better support is needed to encourage and inspire early and mid-career scholars in pursuing leadership. Thriving in Academic Leadership provides just that, presenting informative and inspiring stories from academic leaders at colleges and universities across the world, including Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Personal and engaging, the stories speak to a broad population of academics, serving as an inspiration and guide for academics who aspire to leadership, or are currently in leadership positions, looking to climb the leadership ladder.

• | Author: Kathleen Waldron, Sharmila Pixy Ferris
• | Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
• | Publication Date: Oct 13, 2023
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781837533039
• | ISBN-10: 1837533032