Insights about the profession: questionable norms and the marginalization of practice

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss concerns about dominant university norms and values and their appropriateness in higher education in the 21st century. It also explains how universities marginalize practice through their practices and values.

Design/methodology/approach

This article employs the tools of the essayist and historian, primarily reflective inquiry and historical analysis.

Findings

The primary value of this essay is to point to a new direction for academic departments of school leadership and to place academic units primarily in the service of practice not the academic disciplines. Many of the unquestioned core values and ways of operating in universities require serious review.

Originality/value

The article contributes in a fresh way critique about values and norms in universities.

Citation

Murphy, J. (2014), "Insights about the profession: questionable norms and the marginalization of practice", On the Horizon, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 192-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-04-2014-0010