Middle leaders in higher education: the role of social-political arrangements in prefiguring practices of middle leading

ABSTRACT

Middle leadership is an area of increasing interest in higher education with little research to date exploring middle leading from the perspective of function or discipline leadership roles within Departments. This article uses a case study of twelve middle leaders within a university faculty in Australia to examine the broader contexts of middle leading practices. Using the theory of practice architectures as a theoretical tool, the article discusses practice arrangements enabling and constraining middle leading for discipline leaders and coordinators. Of particular interest is the important role of social-political arrangements in enabling and constraining middle leading practices and the tensions that arise. Given the critical strategic role of middle leaders in leading teaching and learning in universities, this article provides a deeper understanding of the practice landscape within which middle leading practices happen and factors influencing the middle leader’s role so that universities can provide appropriate support and development.

KEYWORDS:

• Middle leading
• higher education
• theory of practice architectures‌
• leadership
• educational leadership
• practice approach

Disclosure statement

This research was commissioned and funded by the Faculty used as the case study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amanda L. Lizier

Amanda Lizier is a lecturer and researcher in the School of International Studies and Education at UTS. His research interests are in workplace and professional learning with a focus on what it means to work and learn in complex contexts. Her interests include learning in the flow of work, manager learning, leadership, and developing professional competence for learning professionals. Amanda's research uses complexity theory and practice approaches to understand the practices of work and learning in organisations. More recently, Amanda's work has expanded to research leadership in higher education.