"Seemingly neutral and apolitical approaches to leadership have inadequately met the longstanding inequities and challenges in Ontario’s public education system," says project lead Vidya Shah, assistant professor in 91ÑÇÉ«'s Faculty of Education. "The undeniable evidence from academic literature, policy, reports, and public outcry speaks to the need for urgent work in transforming systems that can respond to the diverse identities and needs of students and families in Ontario."

The UnLeading team – made up of Shah; 91ÑÇÉ« Faculty of Education course directors Jocelyn Shih and Sayema Chowdhury; and 91ÑÇÉ« master of education student Amanda Lima â€“ was intentional about honouring and affirming the ways in which leadership operates in multiple spaces, within individuals, among collectives and organizations, through ideas and in all of the spaces in between. The intention of UnLeading is to turn leadership on its head and imagine the possibilities that emerge.

The UnLeading website contains the guiding questions that have helped the team to really frame what it is they are attempting to do with this project. The "Systems of Oppression" tab identifies some of the key logics in each of these systems that are often normalized and naturalized as the status quo. The website also contains teasers for the first set of podcast episodes.

The podcast series – launching on Aug. 31, with one new episode to be released each week thereafter – is designed for aspiring leaders and people currently in formal leadership positions, but it is also for those who don't see themselves as leaders and those who are actively resisting formal leadership roles because they are worried about how these roles might change them. Listeners will notice that the podcast’s guests come from the community, classrooms, schools, school districts and the academy, providing a range of perspectives and approaches to leadership. Podcast topics include: decolonizing and uncolonizing leadership, community-centred leadership, culturally relevant and anti-racist leadership, queering leadership and critical spirituality in leadership.

For more information about the project and the podcast, visit the UnLeading website at .

Article originally published in the August 19, 2021 issue of .

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With more than — and almost post-pandemic — the Faculty of Education anticipates interest in its Masters of Leadership and Community Engagement degree program (MLCE) will be at an all-time high this year.

The University is accepting applications now until mid-March for its MLCE degree program that was custom designed for those who want to help make a difference by leading and fostering social change.

The part-time degree is only offered every other year in a flexible format of blended and online courses – and features COVID-19-appropriate community placements and assignments. (The next application period won’t be until 2023.) First of its kind in Ontario, this unique degree is designed for public sector employees who are interested in developing their professional skills to leverage community-based research and practice for social change.

Faculty of Education Assistant Professor Vidya Shah recently did a radio interview on Newstalk 1010 to discuss:

• How to know if it’s time to put your career soul searching into action
• How to apply for the Masters of Leadership and Community Engagement
• What kind of candidates are most successful
• How the program focuses on social justice for social change and how students can achieve this
• The Experiential Learning component of the program allows students to see the value of community knowledge and research vs just classroom theory
• What kind of jobs will be available for Masters of Leadership and Community Engagement graduates in a post-COVID-19 world

Listen to the full interview .

The post In the media: What kind of jobs are going to be available for students in community leadership programs in a post-Covid world? appeared first on Faculty of Education.