Learning to Lead in Higher Education

Higher education is going through great change. There are more students, much less public money, and steadily greater pressures from employers and students for universities to be more accountable. At the same time, lecturers face job insecurity and confront bigger workloads, while universities are forced to become more efficient and business-like. The future success of our universities depends on academics' capacity to respond energetically to change. To help academics face new and uncertain demands, this book argues that a different approach is needed for their management and leadership. It shows academic leaders how to increase resource productivity and enhance teaching quality. It also demonstrates how leaders can help their staff through considerable change without compromising professional standards. Drawing on ideas from the world of business leadership as well as research into what makes academics committed and productive, the text provides heads of departments and course leaders with practical tools they can use to improve their management and leadership skills.;It aims to show academic and university leaders at all levels how they can turn adversity into prosperity.

'At last - a thoughtful and well-crafted guide to effective departmental leadership in universities! ... a useful sourcebook for heads of academics departments. It should be invaluable to new heads and will also offer experienced heads fresh insights and opportunities for reflection on their leadership role.' - Studies in Higher Education'This is a sharply focussed and highly current text which will serve to ground the area of academic leadership in something more than trial and error!' - Ms. Hilary Dyer, Chester University College, 'Ramsden is to be congratulated for this committed and passionate intervention in a vital educational arena that is clearly set to become increasingly important and contested in our current political milieu.' - ESCalate