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Higher education leadership explained A guide to the skills and techniques that constitute effective leadership within universities and academia
What is good leadership? There are many different answers to this question depending upon whom you ask. Higher education in every country and region faces a unique set of challenges, from stretched resources, fierce competition and overworked staff to huge and diverse student bodies demanding ever better teaching and support services. Amid these pressures, university leaders need to inspire, reassure, manage and hustle to drive their institutions forward sustainably. And much more than their predecessors, institutional leaders today must be outward facing, responding to the wider societal movements and issues affecting the world we live in. This collection of resources explores what skills aspiring leaders in academia need and what approaches have proven successful for those in the top jobs.
Copyright © 2025 THE - Times Higher Education. All rights reserved. Authentic leadership : the four pillars of keeping it ‘ REAL ’
Corinna van den Heuvel explains how developing a strong personal leadership philosophy is key to authenticity as a leader
The importance of being a people - first leader – and tips on how to do it
There are many small ways you can show appreciation for your employees and make them feel valued on a daily basis , says …
How to be an empathetic leader during times of change
No one style is the panacea for all leadership challenges but , as Rachel Gibson explains , empathy is a crucial ingredient for …
Authentic leadership isn ’ t new – but we need it more than ever in HE
For leadership to be effective , we need to understand our own limitations and listen to others to learn how to overcome them , say …
What is the secret to leading a successful knowledge transfer partnership ?
Knowledge transfer partnerships between academics and businesses can result in innovative products and services . Tony Leslie offers 10 pointers on how to increase the likelihood of making these collaborations a success
No one agrees on what research leadership is , let alone how to do it well
The academy has no common idea of what research leadership really is , why it ’ s important or what good practice looks like . That needs to change , says Matthew Flinders
THE podcast : what Freeman Hrabowski wants you to know about inclusivity
The outgoing UMBC president and civil rights activist speaks about the difficult conversations around inclusivity and how it is work that …
How leaders can and must work together to address inequity
Leading by example and striking the right balance between competition and collaboration are crucial points for those hoping to lead HE to a …
Managers are so far from the front line ; how can they advance EDI ?
Authentic leadership involves being clear about one ’ s values but taking a step back to allow others the space to develop the scope …
Running a diverse team is harder work – but the rewards are immense
John Womersley managed more than 50 nationalities on a € 3 billion science project . Here , he reflects on the experience and gives tips on getting the most out of a diverse team
Five ways to motivate and inspire a high - performing team
Senior leaders should hold themselves and their teams accountable for performance - driven metrics , foster psychologically safe workplaces and reward values - based behaviours
University leaders need to demonstrate an adaptive mindset
With huge change ahead , leaders must be brave and accept that the right decisions may not always deliver the best spreadsheet …
Modern higher education leaders must blend business and educational …
Clearly articulated values , structures that support accountability and metrics that align with strategic goals are the new leadership …
What must leaders consider as they develop permanent remote work policies ?
Most agree that remote working is here to stay , so developing thoughtful and effective policy will be critical to ensure that students are served …
Four key strategies for higher education leaders to advance democracy
University leaders must use their positions to develop citizens and communities that combat tyranny and facilitate democracy – hard work that is done on and off campus
What can universities do to protect Russian and Ukrainian academics fighting for truth ?
Academics ’ struggle is a stirring reminder that the freedom of scholars and students to speak , teach and publish is neither inviolable nor dispensable , says Ron Daniels
We need our collegiality reserves replenished post - Covid – here ’ s how
While collegiality rests mostly with the people , institutions cannot just sit back and wait for it to spring on its own , says Lucas Lixinski
Virtually friends : building bonds in a remote work environment
When Sandy Jones came into her first remote position in 2020 , she made it her mission to develop closeness among members of …
Leading through mentorship : a guide to the ups and downs
Anna Chur - Hansen reflects on her experiences as a mentee and mentor , how this skill can be developed and how it …
The promotion process needs bigger , better data if we ’ re to make it fairer
Enough of the tiny sample sizes at institutional level – if we want to identify the issues that hold back careers , we need sector - wide figures and cooperation
Complaining that the leadership talent pool is running dry ? Here ’ s how to fill it
Abandoning traditional hierarchies and allowing mid - and early - career staff to experience leadership creates a thriving , diverse talent pool , say Jo Cresswell and Peter Hogg
