An Ecological Leadership Model for Creating Systemic Social Change and Promoting Antiracism at Institutions of Higher Education

The present paper applies an ecological leadership model to building a multicultural, antiracist, and social justice climate in academic environments. An ecological perspective requires a free flow of information, a diversity of voices across an organization, and genuine dialogue so that decisions integrate adequate information and a wide range of options. Positional leaders at colleges and universities need to judge when discussion has been sufficient and impose firm deadlines, while encouraging diverse groups to communicate and exchange ideas. Consequently, the institution becomes responsive to all relevant informational feedback loops necessary for developing an inclusive academic culture. The Inclusion Research Initiative (Jantzer & Lyndgaard, 2021a) provided an opportunity to advance and improve the theory. This initiative applied the theory and reports the results of empirical projects addressing inclusion issues. The general aim of the present paper is to provide a workable model, and practical guidance, for higher educational professionals who must respond to the urgent social justice and antiracist needs of our times.