Innovative Leadership and Change Management in Higher Education - NEWLEAD project key findings and recommendations

From 2020 to 2023 the main activities of the Innovative Leadership and Change Management in Higher Education (NEWLEAD) project consisted of survey-based mapping exercises focus groups on leadership development and institutional transformation and the development of a framework for the design of leadership development programmes (LDPs). The project also developed specific case studies on leading change on equity diversity and inclusion collective leadership during a crisis and leadership styles.

Findings from the NEWLEAD project demonstrate that leading and transforming universities is a complex endeavour requiring a diverse skill set adaptability and the ability to navigate through ever-evolving challenges. Leadership and management are also among the many prerequisites to reaping the benefits of institutional autonomy and address today’s big transformation agendas. To succeed in these endeavours universities must foster leadership development throughout the institution including academic and professional support leaders.

The report highlights recommendations for national and European policy makers and universities underlining the importance for upscaling support for the development and implementation of leadership development programmes for university leaders.

All of the project results including this report are compiled in the dedicated NEWLEAD digital repository. The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflect the views only of the authors and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflect the views only of the authors and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.