How can you use HEA leadership theories to create a culture of innovation in higher education administration?
Innovation is a key driver of excellence, relevance, and impact in higher education. As an educational leader, you have the opportunity and responsibility to foster a culture of innovation in your institution, department, or team. But how can you do that effectively and sustainably? One way is to use the HEA leadership theories as a framework to guide your actions, decisions, and interactions. HEA stands for Higher Education Academy, a UK-based organisation that provides professional recognition, development, and resources for higher education staff. The HEA leadership theories are based on research and practice, and they offer four different perspectives on how to lead innovation in higher education: adaptive, relational, distributive, and transformative. In this article, you will learn more about each of these perspectives, and how you can apply them to create a culture of innovation in your context.