'What makes this book stand out in the crowd is the engaging approach the authors have taken to present their argument and the novel treatment they offer of diversity and diversity management...a must-read for anyone in a leadership position or interested in investigating education leadership and diversity' - Gender and Education

'The authors should be congratulated for tackling the crucial topic of diversity within educational leadership....the book makes a major contribution to the small but emergent body of studies in this area' - Journal of Educational Administration & History

'This book sets out a central aim of stimulating reflection on diversity and implications for leaders in education. It also aims to support the development of practice. It is a useful book for those involved in educational management and for policy makers at all levels' - ESCalate

'The authors challenge the reader to reconsider leadership theory in light of notions of social justice and diversity, and to put into place newly articulated frameworks for action...The text is richly supported by strong empirical research and a sometimes-intricate philosophical approach in making its case for justice and fairness in education and beyond' - Choice Magazine

What do we mean by diversity? Why is it an important issue for leaders of schools, colleges and universities?

As society becomes increasingly diverse, there is significant international awareness in education about how this impacts on leaders and leadership. For decades the emphasis has been placed on increasing the number of leaders with specific attributes, such as women or those from ethnic minorities, to encourage a true representation of society. This far-reaching book takes a wider view, challenging the reader to recognise the importance of diversity issues and to embed diversity as central within leadership theory and practice.

Drawing on their extensive research the authors establish a clear understanding of what diversity means and use this to develop a distinct approach to conceiving leadership, preparing leaders and acting as leaders. They explain how diversity should be a holistic issue which touches every aspect of leadership and is vital to ensuring effective and appropriate leadership for education in pluralist societies. The authors explore the history of approaches to addressing inequities in access to leadership positions and the experience of leadership, from equal opportunities, to diversity and inclusion, to capabilities approaches.

The book also proposes fundamental and concrete changes that leaders can undertake both in their own and their organisation's practice, to reflect a real commitment to social justice in a diverse society.

Jacky Lumby (Ph.D. University of Leicester) is Professor of Education and Head of the School of Education at the University of Southampton, UK. She has taught and led in a range of educational settings, including secondary/high schools, community and further/technical education. She has also worked for a Training and Enterprise Council, with a regional responsibility for developing leaders across the public and private sectors. She has researched and published widely on educational policy, leadership and management in schools and colleges, in the UK and internationally. Her work on leadership encompasses a range of perspectives, including diversity issues, comparative and international perspectives and leading upper secondary education. She has co-edited International handbook on the preparation and development of school leaders (2008). Her most recent book is, with Marianne Coleman, Leadership and Diversity: Challenging Theory and Practice in Education (2007). She is co- editor of the journal International Studies in Educational Administration and a member of the Council of the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society.

Introduction: Diversity, Leadership and Education
Equality Approaches: What¿s in a Name
In-Groups and Out-Groups: The ¿Outsider¿ Experience
Focusing on Gender
Focusing on Ethnicity
Leadership Theory and Diversity
What to Do? Theorising Aims and Practice
Taking Action
Diversity as a Positive within Leadership