Leadership and Diversity : Challenging Theory and Practice in Education

What do we mean by diversity? Why is it an important issue for leaders of schools, colleges and universities? As society becomes increasingly diverse, there is significant international awareness in education about how this impacts on leaders and leadership. For decades the emphasis has been placed on increasing the number of leaders with specific attributes, such as women or those from ethnic minorities, to encourage a true representation of society. This far-reaching book takes a wider view, challenging the reader to recognise the importance of diversity issues and to embed diversity as central within leadership theory and practice. Drawing on their extensive research the authors establish a clear understanding of what diversity means and use this to develop a distinct approach to conceiving leadership, preparing leaders and acting as leaders. They explain how diversity should be a holistic issue which touches every aspect of leadership and is vital to ensuring effective and appropriate leadership for education in pluralist societies. The authors explore the history of approaches to addressing inequities in access to leadership positions and the experience of leadership, from equal opportunities, to diversity and inclusion, to capabilities approaches. The book also proposes fundamental and concrete changes that leaders can undertake both in their own and their organisation's practice, to reflect a real commitment to social justice in a diverse society.