Educational Leadership: Dilemmas and Tensions in Times of Crisis—A Scoping Review

• In Event: Leading in Chaos: Crisis and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This paper reviews peer reviewed research articles on educational leadership in times of crisis. The purpose of the review is to investigate tensions school professionals experience in uncertain times characterized by major challenges. Based on findings, four dilemmas are discussed: 1) individual power and responsibility, and shared leadership, 2) to render care and support and management duties 3) to be true to core values and beliefs and to respond quickly, and 4) the loss of control and to provide stability amid constant uncertainty. Findings indicate that school leaders during crises must balance tensions of individual power and the facilitation of collaboration, relational aspects and operational expectations, individual and collective decision making, being in constant uncertainty and providing predictability.

Authors

• Kjersti Beate Rørstad Welle, University of Oslo

• Ann Elisabeth Gunnulfsen, University of Oslo