Routledge Educational Leadership in Becoming: On the potential of leadership in action (Routledge Research in Educational Leadership)

Educational Leadership in Becoming reconsiders educational leadership in its current forms, and presents a more plausible form of educational leadership to contend with the complexities currently found in universities and schools. Much of the literature in vogue concerning educational leadership ranges from transactional to transformative representations of the concept in relation to educational management and policy, curriculum inquiry and pedagogical action. The primary aim of this book is to revisit some of the dominant understandings of educational leadership and to offer an extended view of the practice along the lines of potentiality and becoming. Davids and Waghid argue that all current forms of educational leadership are insufficient to enact responsible human action, particularly when it comes to addressing the combined issues of globalisation and equitable redress and transformation, whether in relation to leading schools or universities. The primary objective of the book is to draw on the Agambian notion of becoming in order to show that an educational leadership in becoming is better placed to not only address the myriad challenges besetting education, but to also enhance the potential of leadership in action. The book addresses an international audience by analysing conceptions of transformative leadership and should be read by anyone who is interested in education and educational leadership, as well as the impact of neoliberal agendas on education and society. It should also appeal to those interested in the philosophy of education. Review 'The authors present the argument that educational leadership is best described not in terms of a fixed state but instead as a state of "becoming", which best suits our potential to grow as leaders in spite of increasingly changing contexts.' Tena M. Versland, Professor of Educational Leadership, Montana State University 'This is a much needed book and it is a powerful book, probing what an ethical educational leadership might look like, especially in the context of market forces. The authors, Nuraan Davids and Yusef Waghid, offer an incisive set of ideas, seeing effective leadership as always exploratory, critical and dialogical. While situated in South Africa, the book’s themes and arguments are universal and it offers resources for all in leadership positions in education. It is a book whose own time has come and it deserves the widest audience.' Ronald Barnett, Emeritus Professor of Higher Education, University College London Institute of Education  'This book must be read by all interested in Higher Education and Education systems and how they contribute to the development of democratic societies. The authors reveal how a cosmopolitan approach and engagement with leadership in Higher Education and Education Systems has overcome dysfunction through advocating for and realising ‘quality in diversity’. The book is a truly humbling and a masterful defense of Educational Leadership as a Community in Becoming.' Alison Taysum, Programme Leader MSc Educational Leadership,  University of Leicester, UK About the Author Nuraan Davids is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa Yusef Waghid is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy of Education in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.