Leading Educational Networks: Theory, Policy and Practice

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This book offers a global perspective on educational networks, reviewing theory and practice before setting out four lenses: educational effectiveness and improvement; governance theory; complexity theory; and Actor-Network Theory. Using these lenses, Greany and Kamp explore the limits and possibilities for collaboration by analysing case studies of networks in Aotearoa New Zealand and England as well as country-level overviews of networks in Chile and Singapore. The four lenses allow the authors to explore the implications of networks from different perspectives: moving from the level of the individual school, to the local and national systems that schools operate within, to the wider environmental factors that shape, and are shaped by, network activity in education. The authors examine why and how networks have become a feature of education systems worldwide and the implications for policy, practice and research. They consider how networks form, develop, reform, and achieve impact, but also why they can be challenging and often fail to achieve their ambitions. The book concludes by drawing out the implications for leaders and the further development of leadership at different levels of education systems, and by identifying further avenues for research.

Reviews

Leading Educational Networks provides novel and essential perspective on the theory and practice of network-based improvement and leadership as playing out in the global context. It is required reading for researchers, educational professionals, and policymakers working in this exciting and promising space. * Donald J. Peurach, Professor of Education Policy, Leadership, and Innovation, University of Michigan, USA *
In Leading Educational Networks, Greany and Kamp push the boundaries of the field combining much needed theoretical insights with contemporary empirical accounts of leadership in educational networks and the inherent complexity of such activity. A must read for anyone with an interest in leadership and collaboration within school systems. * Paul Armstrong, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Manchester, UK *
A book of desire for engaged and collaborative leadership. The convergence of school leadership and principalship networks emerge from carefully documented network, place-based and systemic leadership exemplars. The threads of thought and practice networks are invaluable for policy makers and school leaders alike. * Julianne Moss, Alfred Deakin Professor and Director, Research for Educational Impact, Deakin University, Australia *
A novel contribution to contemporary school leadership studies. Greany and Kamp creatively combine diverse theoretical lenses and case studies from four schooling systems internationally to explain the challenges of establishing successful educational networks. An accessible and engaging read. * John ONeill, Professor, Institute of Education, Massey University, New Zealand *

Author Bio

Toby Greany is Professor of Education and Convenor of the Centre for Research in Educational Leadership and Management at the University of Nottingham, UK. Annelies Kamp is Associate Professor of Leadership and Head of School of Educational Studies and Leadership at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.