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A team of global experts have been appointed to tackle education leadership in low GDP areas globally.
The National Excellence in Schools Leadership Institute (NESLI) appointed the ten experts to its inaugural advisory board.
The first item of business for the board will be ensuring equity of access for educational leadership opportunities for schools and educators in low GDP areas around the globe.
Co-Chairs Dr Janet Smith and Professor Mike Gaffney are joined by Professor Stephen Heppell (UK), Professor Jan Heystek (South Africa), Mr. Antti Ikonen (Finland), Dr Bernadine Futrell (USA), Dr George Odhiambo (Australia, Kenya), Professor Gu Qing (UK, China), Professor Jim Spillane (USA, Ireland) and Professor Allan Walker (Hong Kong, Australia).
“NESLI is proud and delighted to announce the establishment of its new International Advisory Board, which consists of a diverse range of renowned global educational leadership experts who will provide us with strategic advice about our programs,” Dr Janet Smith, Co-Chair, said of the board.
“The Advisory Board will assist us to explore important issues including equity and inclusion, gender, principal/teacher wellbeing and contemporary global challenges such as the education of refugees.”
Dr Smith said it was an “honour” to co-chair this advisory board “with such an outstanding group of educational leaders”.
Professor Mike Gaffney, Co-Chair, said the NESLI International Advisory Board brings together experts in educational leadership from across the globe.
“Their collective experience in research, policy and practice relating to principalship, school improvement and education system transformation is unrivalled,” Professor Gaffney said.
“This will enable the board to provide authoritative and contemporary advice to assist in the design and delivery of NESLI programs for school leaders.”
Professor Gaffney said NESLI’s priority is providing readily accessible, needs-based, futures-focussed professional learning for the next generation of school leaders in ways that are customised to local settings.
He said the board will play a key role in advising on the development of leadership programs that will make a difference, particularly in addressing the needs and challenges facing educators in low GDP countries.
“These are exciting and critical times in education – globally and locally. The identification, development, and support of school leaders is paramount,” he said.
“The International Advisory Board is ideally positioned through its professional and academic networks to supporting our work in encouraging quality practice and inspiring futures for school leaders across the world.”
The board will meet for the first time this month.