Browsing by Author "Olema, David Kani"

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    Losers and winners in the academe: The Psychological burdens and benefits of elective academic leadership in universities
    (East African Nature & Science Organization, 2026-07-09) Atibuni1, Dennis Zami; Olema, David Kani; Kibanja, Grace Milly
    Elective academic leadership is trending across higher education institutions worldwide. Postulates of being elected in the political academe, rather than being selected (or appointed), as is the case in the classical academe, are associated with benefits of enhanced credibility, effectiveness, accountability, and representation. However, elective academic leadership comes with burdens for individuals and institutions. This conceptual review article, developed using a semi-systematic literature review methodology, examines the psychological benefits and burdens of elective academic leadership in universities. The paper posits the centrality of academic leadership in the academe, traces the origins of elective academic leadership, and explores the context of the political rather than classical academic leadership. We argue that investment in politicising academic leadership is a recipe for stress and pressure to perform, additional workload and responsibility, high expectations from colleagues and students, and potential burnout and emotional exhaustion among the leaders. The paper therefore proffers strategies for a paradigm shift from an intrigue-laden political academic leadership to a merit-based classical academic leadership. Implications for policy and practice are also discussed.