Lived Experiences of Study Programme Leadership in Norwegian Higher Education

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Lived Experiences of Study Programme Leadership in Norwegian Higher Education
Language: English
Authors: Kristin Haugen (ORCID 0000-0002-1972-8160), Randi Beate Tosterud, Sigrid Wangensteen, Marit Honerød Hoveid
Source: Educational Management Administration & Leadership. 2026 54(1):237-256.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Higher Education, Allied Health Occupations Education, Bachelors Degrees, Program Administration, Leadership Role, Program Development, Educational Change, Curriculum Development, Instructional Leadership, Universities, Administrator Attitudes, Educational Quality
Geographic Terms: Norway
DOI: 10.1177/17411432241230663
ISSN: 1741-1432
1741-1440
Abstract: This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of study programme leadership in development processes in higher education (HE). Study programme leaders are considered crucial in enhancing high-quality study programmes. Using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach, we analysed data from 18 interviews representing study programme leaders from six distinct health profession bachelor programmes at two Norwegian multi-campus institutions. Our findings paint a metaphorical picture of study programme leadership, likening it to leading as in alternating currents where signals flow and change direction. These leaders adeptly navigate an ever-evolving educational landscape filled with horizontal and vertical signals, tensions, and expectations. However, some express a lack of motivation and preparation to enter this field of tension. Our analysis identifies three aspects of study programme leadership: transforming, bridging, and balancing. Through their leadership, study programme leaders serve as vital antennas in development processes, capturing signals, coordinating activities, and fostering connections. Furthermore, they are a pivotal nexus through their transformative and bridging efforts. Balancing various leadership approaches enables them to navigate the changing currents. This study's implications are relevant to the HE field, offering valuable insights into study programme leadership. By emphasising the pivotal role of study programme leaders, it contributes to advancing HE development processes, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and further development of these leadership roles.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1491845
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1491845
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Lived Experiences of Study Programme Leadership in Norwegian Higher Education
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kristin+Haugen%22">Kristin Haugen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1972-8160">0000-0002-1972-8160</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Randi+Beate+Tosterud%22">Randi Beate Tosterud</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sigrid+Wangensteen%22">Sigrid Wangensteen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Marit+Honerød+Hoveid%22">Marit Honerød Hoveid</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Management+Administration+%26+Leadership%22"><i>Educational Management Administration & Leadership</i></searchLink>. 2026 54(1):237-256.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 20
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bachelors+Degrees%22">Bachelors Degrees</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Administration%22">Program Administration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Leadership+Role%22">Leadership Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Development%22">Program Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Change%22">Educational Change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Development%22">Curriculum Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Leadership%22">Instructional Leadership</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Attitudes%22">Administrator Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Quality%22">Educational Quality</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Norway%22">Norway</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1177/17411432241230663
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1741-1432<br />1741-1440
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of study programme leadership in development processes in higher education (HE). Study programme leaders are considered crucial in enhancing high-quality study programmes. Using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach, we analysed data from 18 interviews representing study programme leaders from six distinct health profession bachelor programmes at two Norwegian multi-campus institutions. Our findings paint a metaphorical picture of study programme leadership, likening it to leading as in alternating currents where signals flow and change direction. These leaders adeptly navigate an ever-evolving educational landscape filled with horizontal and vertical signals, tensions, and expectations. However, some express a lack of motivation and preparation to enter this field of tension. Our analysis identifies three aspects of study programme leadership: transforming, bridging, and balancing. Through their leadership, study programme leaders serve as vital antennas in development processes, capturing signals, coordinating activities, and fostering connections. Furthermore, they are a pivotal nexus through their transformative and bridging efforts. Balancing various leadership approaches enables them to navigate the changing currents. This study's implications are relevant to the HE field, offering valuable insights into study programme leadership. By emphasising the pivotal role of study programme leaders, it contributes to advancing HE development processes, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and further development of these leadership roles.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1491845
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1491845
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/17411432241230663
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 20
        StartPage: 237
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bachelors Degrees
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Administration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leadership Role
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Administrator Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Norway
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Lived Experiences of Study Programme Leadership in Norwegian Higher Education
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Kristin Haugen
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Randi Beate Tosterud
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Sigrid Wangensteen
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Marit Honerød Hoveid
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1741-1432
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1741-1440
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 54
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Educational Management Administration & Leadership
              Type: main
ResultId 1