Academic leadership: Changing conceptions, identities and experiences in UK higher education, London: Leadership foundation for higher education

This report presents the outcomes of a research project on the leadership of academic work in UK higher education conducted from autumn 2009 to autumn 2011. Findings reveal a high degree of consistency in perspectives on, and experiences of, academic leadership. In particular it was observed that much of what could be considered as ‘academic leadership’ is not provided by people in formal managerial roles. Instead, leadership arises through engagement with influential colleagues within one’s own academic discipline, especially those who play a pivotal role in one’s transition and acculturation into academic life. PhD supervisors, current and former colleagues and key scholars were all described as significant sources of academic leadership, exerting substantial influence throughout one’s career, whether or not they were part of the same institution.[...