1st Edition
Leading Higher Education in the Digital Age Critical Mindsets and Responsible Actions for Complex Times
Front matter
Forewords
Preface
List of acronyms and abbreviations
Introduction
PART 1 – Essentials
Chapter 1: The Big Picture
Chapter 2: Key Concepts
Chapter 3: Introducing DELLHE – Digital Education Leadership Literacies for Higher Education
PART 2 – Developing and Implementing a Vision and Strategy for Digital Education
Chapter 4: Institutional Strategies for Digital Education
Chapter 5: Managing and Leading Change
Chapter 6: What Kind of Leadership Do We Need?
Chapter 7: Operationalising Strategy
PART 3 – Respecting People and the Natural Environment
Chapter 8: Ethical Leadership for Digital Education
Chapter 9: Recentring the Human in the Digital Age
Chapter 10: Digital Education Leadership in a World of Finite Resources
PART 4 – Forging New Futures for Digital Education
Chapter 11: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
Chapter 12: Towards Postdigital Leadership in Higher Education?
CONCLUSION
Biography
Deborah Arnold is a senior digital education consultant and Associate Researcher at Edul@b, Open University of Catalonia, Spain. An award-winning researcher and strategic advisor, she leads high-impact projects supporting the European Commission and universities worldwide.
Albert Sangrà leads the Futures of Education in the Digital Age Research Centre, Open University of Catalonia, Spain and is the UNESCO Chair on Education and Technology. He is Vice-President, Strategic Thinking & Networking at EDEN Digital Learning Europe and has led digital transformation consultancy projects all over the world.
“In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, higher education needs new leadership competencies to steer institutions toward an innovative and sustainable future. This timely book blends clear theoretical grounding with practical cases that show how digital leadership can thrive in challenging contexts. With its strong focus on the human dimension and the environmental impact of technology, it reminds us what truly drives effective leadership. I hope readers will follow the authors in exploring their insights and join them in moving this conversation forward.”
Professor Wim Van Petegem, KU Leuven, President of EDEN DLE
“For higher education institutions to thrive, they need -at least- correct framework conditions, adequate funding, and, of course, leadership. This book is an excellent guide for working on the leadership dimension and not taking it for granted. I hope readers enjoy it as much as I have.”
Professor Josep M. Garrell, President of the European University Association (EUA), Former rector of Ramon Llull University
“Leading Higher Education in the Digital Age is a valuable contribution to the field of digital education leadership. Arnold and Sangrà offer a comprehensive framework that will help university leaders worldwide design more strategic, human-centred, and responsible approaches to digital transformation.”
João Mattar, President, Brazilian Association of Distance Education (ABED), Brazil
"Leading Higher Education in the Digital Age is an essential guide for university leaders navigating digital transformation. Blending rigorous research with practical insight, it equips institutions to act strategically, ethically, and sustainably in an AI-driven world. A timely and invaluable contribution to higher education leadership."
Dr. Àngels Fitó-Bertran, Rector, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain
