Promoting the development of educational leadership in higher education is essential for strengthening the quality of teaching and learning. Additional research is needed to conceptualize educational leadership, especially within informal roles. We analysed how faculty members in an academic development program conceptualized educational leadership. Five key characteristics emerged that inform the development of educational leadership capacity in postsecondary contexts: affective qualities, mentoring and empowering, actionorientation, teaching excellence, and research and scholarship. Three characteristics of academic programs aimed at developing educational leadership were also identified: funding and resources to implement a change initiative, building interdisciplinary communities, and embracing identity.

In this review of the book, Participatory Action Research (PAR) by author Alice McIntyre, I write from the perspective of a PhD student at the beginning of her doctoral social work program and who is considering using PAR in her future research. I highlight McIntyre’s description of PAR, its application as a research technique, the challenges that confront the researcher, and the rewards that could result from the PAR approach.