Traversing in Waters of Uncertainty During COVID-19: The Voices of Academic Leaders From Turkey

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic leadership. Interview data from 13 academic leaders (department chairs, deans, vice-rectors) at two Turkish universities are used to voice their experiences. Two main themes emerged from the analysis: the challenges encountered in an era or uncertainty, and the experience of being in between balance and resilience. While all of the leaders interviewed got through the uncertainty produced by the pandemic, and some thrived, it is clear that universities need to do more to prepare themselves and their leaders for future crises.

Citation

Hacifazlioglu, O., Kuyumcu, I., Kalkavan, B. and Cheung, R. (2022), "Traversing in Waters of Uncertainty During COVID-19: The Voices of Academic Leaders From Turkey", Blair, A., Evans, D., Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (Ed.) International Perspectives on Leadership in Higher Education (International Perspectives on Higher Education Research, Vol. 15), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 237-253. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-362820220000015013