Innovation and Leadership as Design: a Methodology to Lead and Exceed an Ecological Approach in Higher Education

Innovation is globally an increasing necessity for Higher Education leadership. The paper makes a substantial distinction between innovation and effectiveness (or, 'what works' approach as per an evidence-based agenda). It considers main assumptions of dominant educational research on this matter and shows that they seek effectiveness (i.e. adaption to given contexts, procedures and aims) and conversely lack an adequate methodology to innovation. It suggests next that a more consistent and useful approach to innovation and leadership springs from the perspective of the Science of the Design along with Rationality of Action (SCD&RAC). Yet, there is a number of research lines containing the topic 'design education', the SCD&RAC framework is new and distinctive. Finally, the work draws implications for Higher Education and outlines some lines of research that emerge from this perspective.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the significant distinction between innovation and effectiveness in the field of education, highlighting the focus on effectiveness in mainstream educational research and the lack of emphasis on innovation. The author suggests a more consistent and useful approach to innovation and leadership from the perspective of design science and rationality of action. Finally, the paper outlines the implications for higher education and the emerging research directions from this viewpoint.