Leadership for Improved Academic Enterprise

Powell, J. A. and Clark, A. (2012) Leadership for Improved Academic Enterprise. Other. Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, London.

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the debate on how to improve the leadership, governance and management of Outreach in British Universities. It addresses the development of best practice with respect to ’Reaching-out’ to business, industry, civil and voluntary services and the community, or, to use an umbrella term, Academic Enterprise1 . The paper draws on the reflections of 67 university leaders and academic entrepreneurs, from interviews undertaken between 2009 and 2011. Our findings suggest that leaders of Academic Enterprise are confident, ambitious, passionate and focused about developing real impact for their chosen area of interest; they have often worked out a clear and underlying strategy for delivering improvements in the ‘real world’ and demonstrate an ambition to contribute something tangible from their work as academics. They are sensitive to contextual issues; recognise the importance of relationships with others, including external partners, colleagues in their own institution, and the teams they work within; draw upon their own experiences; and are driven by underlying values and beliefs that encourage them to seek out collaboration with the wider community.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Other)
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Powell, Professor James
• Authors: Powell, J. A., and Clark, A.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Social Justice Place and Lifelong Education
• Publisher: Leadership Foundation for Higher Education

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