Call for Book Chapters: Developing Deans - Transforming Academic Leadership

Vernon Press invites book chapters for a forthcoming edited volume on the subject of “Developing Deans: Transforming Academic Leadership.” 

Leadership capacity is the sine qua non of the survival and thriving of higher education. Without it, we cannot adapt to the changing political, scholarly and cultural landscapes of higher education. Effective deans develop and implement creative solutions to the important challenges that higher education faces. Nevertheless, most campuses focus on the development of students and ignore the development of much-needed leadership capacity for the organization itself. We run national searches for deans under the assumption that others have developed the perfect dean for us. 

This edited volume will seek to include empirical research, case studies and first-person narratives aimed at highlighting methods and practices designed to develop fundamental leadership skills for higher education administrators who create inclusive, collaborative and cross-functional organizational cultures. Critical pieces that include an analysis of such methodologies will also be considered. Practitioners, students, researchers and scholars are invited to submit proposals in English that address questions such as:  

·         How do deans learn to lead effectively? Is this the optimal developmental path? 

·         (How) is higher ed leadership similar to/different from leadership in other industries? 

·         How might we scale leadership development as a practice across higher education? 

·         What are the most important leadership skills needed by deans? 

·         How is dean leadership different from chair leadership? 

·         How would you advise someone who wants to be a dean? 

Chapter proposal submission 

Please submit an abstract no longer than 500 words in English to Lynn Vidler (volume editor), l.lynn.vidler@gmail.com, by December 16, 2023. The abstract should include a clear overview of the main focus of the chapter and the different topics that will be addressed. In addition, please include a short biography (max. 100 words) of the author(s). 

Deadlines: 

Proposal submission deadline: December 16, 2023 

Acceptance of abstract sent out: January 15, 2024

Manuscript submission: March 31, 2024