Metaphors for Social Justice Leadership: Definitions and Relationship to Context and Practice

• In Event: 16.058 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 16.058-17 - Context and Practice: What Does Social Justice Look Like?

Abstract

This paper explores the metaphors used by 38 educational leaders from Canada and the US to describe how they employ micropolitical strategies to achieve social justice. Metaphors play an important role in helping individuals and groups visualize, communicate, and make sense of personal and professional practice. Data analysis revealed that metaphors social justice leaders used, although varied, fit into three broad themes – war, games, and speed. The discussion explores the nature of these metaphors, how they may have been shaped by the social, political, and economic climate in which the social justice leaders work, how these metaphors may influence their future practice, and how we can use the findings from this study to inform professional development and future research.

Authors

• Stephanie Diane Tuters, OISE/University of Toronto

• Denise E. Armstrong, Brock University