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Special Interest Group

Educational Leadership

A meeting place for the critical exploration of educational leadership – research, policy and practice - in the pursuit of social justice.

This SIG is concerned with the governance and leadership of educational institutions in all sectors (compulsory and post-compulsory; state, voluntary and private) and all contexts. 

We are interested in both the policy and institutional practices, including the moral, social, cultural and political positioning adopted, together with the processes involved in developing these practices, ultimately for the benefit of learners. These interests extend beyond the UK with many of us are engaged in the research and scholarship of educational leadership and management in overseas contexts. 

Some of our members undertake empirical research; others develop theory and theoretical perspectives; and some are involved in practitioner research. We welcome the active involvement of all members who may be established or emerging researchers with an interest in the field of educational leadership.

Research interests 

  • School, FE and HE educational leadership  
  • Policy scholarship of educational leadership 
  • Governance and educational leadership 
  • Educational leadership, power, inequality, change and activism 
  • Educational leadership and social justice 

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The aim of the SIG is to provide a place for critical discussion were researchers in the field of educational leadership can explore theoretical and methodological approaches to research in the field .   

The aims of the group are to: 

  • Explore and share current research in the field of educational leadership. 
  • Generate new ideas about research methodologies and approaches in the field. 
  • Promote amongst researchers and practitioners a critical understanding of research within the field. 
  • Help develop a context of critical enquiry to the field as a means for social justice. 
  • Help foster a community of critical educational leadership scholars.
  • Provide a platform to promote the research and academic interests of SIG members.

Activities /Events: 

The SIG seeks to develop a community through its 

  • An annual forum meeting 
  • two SIG events to share current research in the field.  
  • Quarterly newsletters that share the work of SIG members and opportunities to engage in the field. 

SIG Convenors

Profile picture of Karen Healey
Karen Healey, Dr

Lecturer in Education at University of Manchester

Karen Healey is a lecturer in education leadership at the Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester.  She teaches on the Masters in Educational Leadership  with a focus on contemporary issues, policy and research methods....

Content associated with this SIG

Call for Convenor: Educational Leadership

We are recruiting a SIG Convenor for the ºÚÁÏÍø911 Educational Leadership SIG to help lead the SIG over the next 3 years.  If multiple expressions of interest are received an election may be...

ºÚÁÏÍø911 OpportunityClosed

Autumn 2026

Research Intelligence issue 168: Teacher wellbeing across diverse contexts: Research & practice perspectives

Research Intelligence21 Aug 2026