Leadership survey and framework

The project will generate a unique evidence base for leadership in higher education, highlight contextual variations across the sector and around the world and explore the impact of leadership development. It will also inform the development of a sector-led leadership framework for enhancement and recognition.

As the first step, Advance HE has commissioned a scoping study that will be undertaken by a research team led by the University of Bristol and involving colleagues from the University of the West of England and Swansea University. This research study consisting of a literature review, a series of eleven roundtable discussions and dissemination events will inform the survey design.

Objectives of the project

The broad objectives of the Advance HE Leadership Survey are to:

The timing of this study is particularly significant given turbulence in the sector caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for individuals and institutions around the world to reflect on what they have learnt and what they need to do next.

Underpinned by a focused literature review, the main body of the research explored contemporary HE leadership through online round tables and large-group dissemination and engagement events. The discussions were extremely rich, open and insightful, and generated an extensive dataset for the research analysis. This essentially collaborative piece of research, taking a whole community approach, brought together colleagues from across the sector, a diverse mix of academic, professional services and executive/management staff, as well as a range of HE-associated bodies.

Scoping study roundtables and dissemination events

From October to December 2021, 11 two-hour online round tables on the nature and purpose(s) of leadership in contemporary higher education were run with representatives from the sector. The category groups for the roundtables were as follows:

• Academic deans and heads of departments
• Staff and organisational development professionals
• Professional service leaders
• Early career academics
• Senior executive group x 2
• Professional representative and funding bodies
• The professoriate
• Professional service first-line managers
• Trade unions and HE related support organisations
• Established academics

Following these, four large-group dissemination and engagement events were hosted in February and March 2022 to share emerging findings and gather wider perspectives on the issues raised.

These conversations “provided rich and revealing insights into a turbulent and changing HE landscape”, to quote the authors, and the report itself draws these together to present significant observations regarding contemporary HE leadership in terms of context, values, purpose and effective leadership qualities. Based on the study and the findings, the report also proposes a number of recommendations that have closely informed the development of the Advance HE Global Leadership Survey for Higher Education.

Outputs from the scoping study

The specific outputs from the scoping study led by the research team were as follows:

• A series of dissemination and engagement events in February and March 2022
• A summary report for Advance HE members and the wider HE community based on all of the information and evidence gathered
• An outline design to inform the development of a global survey for leadership in higher education, research institutes and related organisations.

Dissemination and engagement events

At the next stage in the scoping study underpinning development of the Advance HE Leadership Survey, we hosted a series of dissemination and engagement events in February 2022. Participants were able to:

• Learn more about the Advance HE Leadership Survey and Framework initiative, and its significance for supporting leaders and leadership at all levels in the disrupted and rapidly evolving landscape of higher education
• Be part of this crucial sector-wide conversation about 'what works for leadership in higher education?'
• Gain a first-hand insight into the fascinating initial findings from the scoping study
• Contribute directly to the study by responding to the findings through live polls and other activities
• Reflect on their own leadership and context through the lens of the findings so far
• Hear cross-sector accounts from some of the roundtable participants about their experience

These events brought together the widest possible community of colleagues to hear first-hand some of the initial findings from the research and, importantly, respond to them.

All colleagues from higher education institutions worldwide and related organisations were welcomed to attend and participate.

Ahead of the events, Doug Parkin, Advance HE Principal Adviser for Leadership and Management and project lead, discussed the project and the richness of the findings with Richard Bolden, Professor of Leadership and Management and Director of Bristol leadership and Change Centre at the University West of England, UWE Bristol, and Richard Watermeyer, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Bristol and co-director of the Center for Higher Education Transformations. 

You can watch one of the engagement events here:

The outputs of the survey will inform our collective understanding about leadership in the HE sector and will be used to provide clarity to invest in leaders, support leadership development, recognise effective practice (over time), plan leadership structures and capacity, and grow the talent needed for tomorrow. They will also be available to support leadership research and organisational development. 

Watch- Why a Global Leadership Survey for Higher Education is so important?

Research team