BIO: Dr Anthony Thorpe is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Education at the University of Roehampton, London, where he previously led the PhD and professional doctorate programmes, and established the MA in Education Leadership and Management. He previously worked in a variety of roles in schools and colleges. He writes on a range of leadership and management topics including critical realism.

ABSTRACT: Authentic leadership theory claims to offer a more effective form of leadership, though critics question its utility in practice. In this webinar, Anthony Thorpe asks, first, what insights are provided by authentic leadership theory into the current problems in the practice of leadership; and second, in what ways can authentic leadership theory offer guidance to improve day-to-day leadership practice and leadership development? The analysis draws on critical realism and its implications for leadership in discerning what is authentic and real. Participants are invited to consider what the responses might be from the perspective of humanistic management.

QUESTION FOR THE AUDIENCE: How do you know that the important things in your research exist?

PUBLICATION:

The introductory chapter of ‘Educational Leadership and Critical Realism’ by Anthony Thorpe and Jean Pierre Elonga Mboyo (Routledge, 2026)  can be read for free through https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=NJN3EQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA2005&dq=Educational+Leadership+and+Critical+Realism&ots=kgHHOzLr3X&sig=FTUMdy47vYood2P1vIyLeJYB68g.

Please register by sending an email to danae.huijser@phd.uvh.nl topic ‘Webinar registration’.