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27 - Embracing Complexity Leadership in School–University Partnerships

Framing Possibility within Guiding Principles

from Part IV - Leadership in School–University Partnerships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2025

Janna Dresden
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
JoAnne Ferrara
Affiliation:
Manhattanville University
Jane E. Neapolitan
Affiliation:
Towson University
Diane Yendol-Hoppey
Affiliation:
University of North Florida
Jori S. Beck
Affiliation:
Old Dominion University
Morgan Z. Faison
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
Sonia E. Janis
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
Kathleen Provinzano
Affiliation:
Binghamton University
Logan Rutten
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota
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Summary

As hybrid spaces for enacted practice, school–university partnerships (S-UPs) are complex systems for leadership and educational change. Therefore, in this chapter I explore various educational leadership theories–from a wide perspective encompassing paradigms, conceptual frameworks, and constructs as described in the literature on educational leadership – and work to identify coherence among the complexity in order to provide guiding principles (from theories) for SUP leadership practice and scholarship. Among the discussions of theory and practice in educational leadership scholarship, tensions and even contradictions are identified when considering enacted practice of educational leaders. Embracing tensions to meet complexity with complexity, I highlight a framework with theories as guideposts for leaders in SUPs to engage and live in a dynamic way to best meet the needs and purposes of SUPs through complexity leadership.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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