Developing Excellent Academic Leaders in Turbulent Times

Abstract

The higher education sector needs good academic leaders. Unfortunately, the development and support of good leadership has been largely missing, despite its criticality in preparing institutions for these turbulent times. This commentary explores some of the challenges facing the sector with respect to academic leadership. It profiles some of the issues that are emerging with respect to building a robust sector, including addressing higher education's poor performance with respect to viable and well-considered strategy, academic management and the support of vulnerable academic members. It argues that these issues may stem from poor academic leadership and maps some of the reasons for this challenge. Suggestions as to how we might improve the higher education environment through enhanced valuing and support of good leadership are offered.