Dr Deirdre Torrance

  • Senior Research Fellow in Educational and School Leadership (Educational Leadership & Policy)

Biography

Dr Deirdre Torrance is Senior Research Fellow in Educational and School Leadership (part-time) in the School of Education. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the University of Edinburgh where, until recently, she was Senior Lecturer and lead expert in the field of educational leadership in the School of Education. Deirdre held the contemporaneous posts of Director of Teacher Education Partnerships; Director of the Masters in Educational Leadership and Management; and Co-Director of the Masters in Leadership and Learning. She has a substantial professional background across primary, secondary and special education, as well as local government, developing important perspectives in educational leadership and leadership development. As Director of Teacher Education Partnerships, she was instrumental in securing a large number of significant grants to support innovative partnership developments, and to expand Masters level learning opportunities across the professional development spectrum. Deirdre continues to be engaged in a number of collaborative research and writing projects. Her primary research interests include leadership preparation, school leadership and management, teacher leadership, middle leadership, distributed leadership (PhD focus completed in 2012) and social justice leadership. She is the lead researcher for the Scottish contribution to the BELMAS UCEA international research project, International School Leadership Development Network. Deirdre is also the lead researcher for the Scottish contribution to the BELMAS Comparative Review of Educational Leadership and Administration in the United Kingdom. 

Research interests

Dr Torrance is engaged in a number of collaborative research and writing projects. Her primary research interests include career-long professional learning, with a particular focus on leadership preparation; school leadership and management, teacher leadership, middle leadership, distributed leadership; and social justice leadership. Deirdre is a principal researcher for the Scottish contribution to the BELMAS UCEA International School Leadership Development Network (2013 – ongoing). She has a key role in the overall project and is principal researcher for the Scottish contribution to this international research project and in particular, the Social Justice Leadership strand, involving researchers in over twenty countries. The ISLDN research project seeks to better understand how conceptualisations of social justice are articulated by school leaders, and how such articulations inform the actions of school leaders. Moreover, it seeks to better understand what school leaders do when there exists a dislocation between their own sense of social justice and, for example, the notions of social justice articulated in policy discourses. The project is sponsored by the British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society (UK), and by the University Council on Educational Administration (USA). Dr Torrance is also a principal researcher for the BELMAS Comparative Review of Educational Leadership and Administration in the United Kingdom (2017 – ongoing). She has a key role in the overall project and principal role for the Scottish contribution to this comparative review across the four jurisdictions of the United Kingdom, which is funded by the British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2013 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2000 | 1997
Number of items: 53.

2022

Harvie, J. and Torrance, D. (2022) School leaders as research participants: What questions should we ask about their experiences as research participants? In: British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS 2022), Liverpool, UK, 8-10 July 2022, (Accepted for Publication)

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. , Mitchell, A. , McMahon, M. and Harvie, J. (2022) Education governance and the role of the headteacher: the new policy problem in Scottish education. Management in Education, 36(1), pp. 18-24. (doi: 10.1177/08920206211057348)

2021

Torrance, D. , Forde, C. , Mitchell, A. , Harvie, J. and McMahon, M. (2021) Using the Delphi Method to Investigate the Work of School Middle Leadership Teams. ECER 2021 European Conference on Educational Research, 06-10 Sep 2021.

Forde, C. , Mitchell, A. , Harvie, J. , McMahon, M. and Torrance, D. (2021) The Changing Role of the Headteacher in Scottish Education: Implications for Headship Preparation and Induction. ECER 2021 European Conference on Educational Research, 06-10 Sep 2021.

Forde, C. , Harvie, J. , McMahon, M. , Mitchell, A. and Torrance, D. (2021) Back on Track or Re-envisioning a Different Track. Social Justice Leadership and its Implications in the Post-Pandemic Scottish Education Systems. BELMAS UK Review Webinar: Post COVID Future of Educational Leadership and Administration, 26 May 2021.

Torrance, D. et al. (2021) What factors help and hinder the work of social justice leaders? A summary of findings from the social justice leadership strand. In: Barnett, B. G. and Woods, P. A. (eds.) Educational Leadership for Social Justice and Improving High-Needs Schools: Findings from 10 Years of International Collaboration. Series: International research on school leadership. Information Age Publishing: Charlotte, North Carolina, pp. 51-72. ISBN 9781648023736

Torrance, D. , Mitchell, A. , Harvie, J. , McMahon, M. and Forde, C. (2021) How Can Leadership-as-Practice and Collective Leadership Re-Vision Headship? Colloquium on Collective Leadership and L-A-P: How Can We Raise Each Other Up, 21 Jan 2021.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2021) Leadership at all levels: system alignment through empowerment in Scottish education? School Leadership and Management, 41(1-2), pp. 22-40. (doi: 10.1080/13632434.2020.1825372)

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. and Angelle, P. S. (2021) Caring practices and social justice leadership: case studies of school principals in Scotland and USA. School Leadership and Management, 41(3), pp. 211-228. (doi: 10.1080/13632434.2020.1866526)

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. , King, F. and Razzaq, J. (2021) What is the problem? A critical review of social justice leadership preparation and development. Professional Development in Education, 47(1), pp. 22-35. (doi: 10.1080/19415257.2020.1787198)

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. , McMahon, M. and Mitchell, A. (2021) Middle leadership and social justice leadership in scottish secondary schools: harnessing the Delphi method’s potential in a participatory action research process. International Studies in Educational Administration, 49(3), pp. 103-121.

Mitchell, A. , Torrance, D. , Forde, C. , Harvie, J. and McMahon, M. (2021) Social justice leadership in Scottish schools: Building on co-constructed understandings and aspirations. Centre for Leadership and Diversity (CLD) at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) Annual International Conference, Toronto, Canada (Online), 9- 10 December 2021.

Torrance, D. , Forde, C. , McMahon, M. A. , Mitchell, A. and Harvie, J. (2021) Potential theoretical approaches to support the critical exploration of ‘the problem(s)’ of preparing, recruiting and retaining headteachers in Scotland. In: Mifsud, D. (ed.) Narratives of Educational Leadership. Series: Educational Leadership Theory. Springer: Singapore, pp. 131-158. ISBN 9789811658303 (doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-5831-0_6)

Torrance, D. , Harvie, J. , Mitchell, A. and Forde, C. (2021) Emerging Issues from the Future of Headship Research Programme. British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS 2021), 2-3 July 2021.

2019

Angelle, P. S. and Torrance, D. (Eds.) (2019) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership: an Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Springer. ISBN 9783030108731

Angelle, P. S. and Torrance, D. (2019) The significance of context in the enactment of social justice. In: Angelle, P.S. and Torrance, D. (eds.) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership : An Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 195-207. ISBN 9783030108731

King, F., Forde, C. , Razzaq, J. and Torrance, D. (2019) Systems of education governance and cultures of justice in Ireland, Scotland and Pakistan. In: Angelle, P.S. and Torrance, D. (eds.) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership : An Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 67-92. ISBN 9783030108731

Torrance, D. and Angelle, P. S. (2019) The influence of global contexts in the enactment of social justice. In: Angelle, P.S. and Torrance, D. (eds.) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership : An Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 1-19. ISBN 9783030108731

Woods, P. A., Simkins, T., Donnelly, C., Hamilton, T., Jones, K., Potter, I. and Torrance, D. (2019) Educational Leadership and Administration in the United Kingdom: A Comparative Review. Project Report. British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society (BELMAS).

2018

Torrance, D. (2018) Leadership, management and organisation in the primary school. In: Bryce, T.G.K., Humes, W.M., Gillies, D. and Kennedy, A. (eds.) Scottish Education [5th ed.]. Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 259-269. ISBN 9781474437844

2017

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2017) Social justice leaders: critical moments in headteachers’/principals’ development. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 2(1), pp. 29-52.

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2017) Social justice leadership in Scottish education. Scottish Educational Review, 49(1), pp. 51-66.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2017) Social justice and leadership development. Professional Development in Education, 43(1), pp. 106-120. (doi: 10.1080/19415257.2015.1131733)

Notman, R., Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2017) Teacher leadership in New Zealand and Scotland: research report. Leading Lights: New Zealand Educational Administration and Leadership Society Newsletter, 1, pp. 7-10.

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2017) Policy and practice in social justice leadership in Scotland. In: Angelle, P.S. (ed.) A Global Perspective of Social Justice Leadership for School Principals. Information Age Publishing, Inc.: Charlotte, NC, pp. 187-208. ISBN 9781681238739

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2017) Redefining what it means to be a teacher through professional standards: implications for continuing teacher education. European Journal of Teacher Education, 40(1), pp. 110-126. (doi: 10.1080/02619768.2016.1246527)

Torrance, D. , Fuller, K., McNae, R., Roofe, C. and Arshad, R. (2017) A social justice perspective on women in educational leadership. In: Miller, P. (ed.) Cultures of Leadership: Global and Intercultural Perspectives. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: London, England, pp. 25-50. ISBN 9781137585660

Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2017) Policy fudge and practice realities: developing teacher leadership in Scotland. International Studies in Educational Administration, 45(1), pp. 23-44.

2016

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2016) Changing expectations and experiences of headship in Scotland. International Studies in Educational Administration, 44(2), pp. 21-37.

Torrance, D. , Notman, R. and Murphy, D. (2016) Teacher leadership development: an exploration of issues arising from programmes in Scotland and New Zealand. Scottish Educational Review, 48(2), pp. 43-59.

Torrance, D. (2016) Support staff as leaders of learning. In: Martin, C.R., Fleming, M.P. and Smith, H. (eds.) Mental Health and Well-Being in the Learning and Teaching Environment. Swan & Horn: Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland. ISBN 9781909675025

Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2016) Developing as a Leader (2014-15). Other. University of Edinburgh, Report on the University of Edinburgh Teacher Education Partnership Pilot Course.

Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2016) Report on the University of Edinburgh Teacher Education Partnership Pilot Course: Developing Teacher Leadership (2014-16). Other. University of Edinburgh.

2015

Torrance, D. (2015) Professional learning for distributed leadership: primary headteachers’ perspectives. Professional Development in Education, 41(3), pp. 487-507. (doi: 10.1080/19415257.2014.936025)

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2015) To what extent can headteachers be held to account in the practice of social justice leadership? Journal of Educational Leadership, Policy and Practice, 30(1), pp. 79-91.

Torrance, D. and Humes, W. (2015) The shifting discourses of educational leadership. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 43(5), pp. 792-810. (doi: 10.1177/1741143214535748)

2013

Carroll, M. and Torrance, D. (2013) Classroom management: working with school support assistants in the primary classroom. In: Bryce, T.G.K., Humes, W.M., Gillies, D. and Kennedy, A. (eds.) Scottish Education [4th ed]. Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 413-422. ISBN 9780748645824

Torrance, D. (2013) The challenges of developing distributed leadership in Scottish primary schools: a catch 22. Education 3-13, 41(3), pp. 330-345. (doi: 10.1080/03004279.2013.791165)

Torrance, D. (2013) Distributed leadership: challenging five generally held assumptions. School Leadership and Management, 33(4), pp. 354-372. (doi: 10.1080/13632434.2013.813463)

Torrance, D. (2013) Distributed leadership: still in the gift of the headteacher. Scottish Educational Review, 45(2), pp. 50-63.

Torrance, D. (2013) The transition to headship/principalship. In: Brundrett, M. (ed.) The Principles of School Leadership [2nd ed]. SAGE Publications: London, England, pp. 203-220. ISBN 9781446201442

2011

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. and Carroll, M. (2011) Developing teachers as leaders. Scottish Educational Journal, 95(2), pp. 18-19.

Torrance, D. (2011) Preparing to lead: Coaching, mentoring and tutoring in leadership development. In: Forde, C. and O'Brien, J. (eds.) Coaching and Mentoring: Developing Teachers and Leaders. Dunedin Academic Press: Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 45-62. ISBN 9781906716295

2010

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2010) Supporting teacher leadership. Scottish Educational Journal, 94(2), pp. 12-13.

Torrance, D. and Pritchard, I. (2010) Developing Alternative Routes to School Headship: Evaluation of the University DARE 2 Programme, 2009-10. Documentation. University of Edinburgh, Centre for Educational Leadership.

2009

Torrance, D. (2009) Distributed leadership in Scottish schools : Perspectives from participants recently completing the revised Scottish Qualification for Headship Programme. Management in Education, 23(2), pp. 63-70. (doi: 10.1177/0892020609104813)

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2009) Developing leadership and learning. Scottish Educational Journal, 93(3), p. 6.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2009) Developing leadership and learning. Scottish Educational Journal, 93(4), p. 15.

2007

Woods, P. A. et al. (2007) Headteachers’ Professional Development: Provision, Barriers and Needs. Documentation. University of Aberdeen.

2005

O'Brien, J.P. and Torrance, D. (2005) Professional learning for school principals : Developments in Scotland. Educational Research and Perspectives, 32(2), pp. 165-181.

2004

Torrance, D. (2004) Effective strategies and materials to support less able P7-S2 pupils. SMC Journal, 33, pp. 27-30.

2000

Torrance, D. A. (2000) Qualitative studies into bullying within special schools. British Journal of Special Education, 27(1), pp. 16-21. (doi: 10.1111/1467-8527.t01-1-00151)

1997

Torrance, D. A. (1997) ‘Do you want to be in my gang?’ : A study of the existence and effects of bullying in a primary school class. British Journal of Special Education, 24(4), pp. 158-162. (doi: 10.1111/1467-8527.t01-1-00034)

This list was generated on Sun Dec 4 12:54:52 2022 GMT.
Jump to: Articles | Book Sections | Edited Books | Research Reports or Papers | Conference or Workshop Item | Conference Proceedings
Number of items: 53.

Articles

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. , Mitchell, A. , McMahon, M. and Harvie, J. (2022) Education governance and the role of the headteacher: the new policy problem in Scottish education. Management in Education, 36(1), pp. 18-24. (doi: 10.1177/08920206211057348)

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2021) Leadership at all levels: system alignment through empowerment in Scottish education? School Leadership and Management, 41(1-2), pp. 22-40. (doi: 10.1080/13632434.2020.1825372)

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. and Angelle, P. S. (2021) Caring practices and social justice leadership: case studies of school principals in Scotland and USA. School Leadership and Management, 41(3), pp. 211-228. (doi: 10.1080/13632434.2020.1866526)

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. , King, F. and Razzaq, J. (2021) What is the problem? A critical review of social justice leadership preparation and development. Professional Development in Education, 47(1), pp. 22-35. (doi: 10.1080/19415257.2020.1787198)

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. , McMahon, M. and Mitchell, A. (2021) Middle leadership and social justice leadership in scottish secondary schools: harnessing the Delphi method’s potential in a participatory action research process. International Studies in Educational Administration, 49(3), pp. 103-121.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2017) Social justice leaders: critical moments in headteachers’/principals’ development. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 2(1), pp. 29-52.

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2017) Social justice leadership in Scottish education. Scottish Educational Review, 49(1), pp. 51-66.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2017) Social justice and leadership development. Professional Development in Education, 43(1), pp. 106-120. (doi: 10.1080/19415257.2015.1131733)

Notman, R., Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2017) Teacher leadership in New Zealand and Scotland: research report. Leading Lights: New Zealand Educational Administration and Leadership Society Newsletter, 1, pp. 7-10.

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2017) Redefining what it means to be a teacher through professional standards: implications for continuing teacher education. European Journal of Teacher Education, 40(1), pp. 110-126. (doi: 10.1080/02619768.2016.1246527)

Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2017) Policy fudge and practice realities: developing teacher leadership in Scotland. International Studies in Educational Administration, 45(1), pp. 23-44.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2016) Changing expectations and experiences of headship in Scotland. International Studies in Educational Administration, 44(2), pp. 21-37.

Torrance, D. , Notman, R. and Murphy, D. (2016) Teacher leadership development: an exploration of issues arising from programmes in Scotland and New Zealand. Scottish Educational Review, 48(2), pp. 43-59.

Torrance, D. (2015) Professional learning for distributed leadership: primary headteachers’ perspectives. Professional Development in Education, 41(3), pp. 487-507. (doi: 10.1080/19415257.2014.936025)

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2015) To what extent can headteachers be held to account in the practice of social justice leadership? Journal of Educational Leadership, Policy and Practice, 30(1), pp. 79-91.

Torrance, D. and Humes, W. (2015) The shifting discourses of educational leadership. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 43(5), pp. 792-810. (doi: 10.1177/1741143214535748)

Torrance, D. (2013) The challenges of developing distributed leadership in Scottish primary schools: a catch 22. Education 3-13, 41(3), pp. 330-345. (doi: 10.1080/03004279.2013.791165)

Torrance, D. (2013) Distributed leadership: challenging five generally held assumptions. School Leadership and Management, 33(4), pp. 354-372. (doi: 10.1080/13632434.2013.813463)

Torrance, D. (2013) Distributed leadership: still in the gift of the headteacher. Scottish Educational Review, 45(2), pp. 50-63.

Forde, C. , Torrance, D. and Carroll, M. (2011) Developing teachers as leaders. Scottish Educational Journal, 95(2), pp. 18-19.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2010) Supporting teacher leadership. Scottish Educational Journal, 94(2), pp. 12-13.

Torrance, D. (2009) Distributed leadership in Scottish schools : Perspectives from participants recently completing the revised Scottish Qualification for Headship Programme. Management in Education, 23(2), pp. 63-70. (doi: 10.1177/0892020609104813)

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2009) Developing leadership and learning. Scottish Educational Journal, 93(3), p. 6.

Forde, C. and Torrance, D. (2009) Developing leadership and learning. Scottish Educational Journal, 93(4), p. 15.

O'Brien, J.P. and Torrance, D. (2005) Professional learning for school principals : Developments in Scotland. Educational Research and Perspectives, 32(2), pp. 165-181.

Torrance, D. (2004) Effective strategies and materials to support less able P7-S2 pupils. SMC Journal, 33, pp. 27-30.

Torrance, D. A. (2000) Qualitative studies into bullying within special schools. British Journal of Special Education, 27(1), pp. 16-21. (doi: 10.1111/1467-8527.t01-1-00151)

Torrance, D. A. (1997) ‘Do you want to be in my gang?’ : A study of the existence and effects of bullying in a primary school class. British Journal of Special Education, 24(4), pp. 158-162. (doi: 10.1111/1467-8527.t01-1-00034)

Book Sections

Torrance, D. et al. (2021) What factors help and hinder the work of social justice leaders? A summary of findings from the social justice leadership strand. In: Barnett, B. G. and Woods, P. A. (eds.) Educational Leadership for Social Justice and Improving High-Needs Schools: Findings from 10 Years of International Collaboration. Series: International research on school leadership. Information Age Publishing: Charlotte, North Carolina, pp. 51-72. ISBN 9781648023736

Torrance, D. , Forde, C. , McMahon, M. A. , Mitchell, A. and Harvie, J. (2021) Potential theoretical approaches to support the critical exploration of ‘the problem(s)’ of preparing, recruiting and retaining headteachers in Scotland. In: Mifsud, D. (ed.) Narratives of Educational Leadership. Series: Educational Leadership Theory. Springer: Singapore, pp. 131-158. ISBN 9789811658303 (doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-5831-0_6)

Angelle, P. S. and Torrance, D. (2019) The significance of context in the enactment of social justice. In: Angelle, P.S. and Torrance, D. (eds.) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership : An Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 195-207. ISBN 9783030108731

King, F., Forde, C. , Razzaq, J. and Torrance, D. (2019) Systems of education governance and cultures of justice in Ireland, Scotland and Pakistan. In: Angelle, P.S. and Torrance, D. (eds.) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership : An Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 67-92. ISBN 9783030108731

Torrance, D. and Angelle, P. S. (2019) The influence of global contexts in the enactment of social justice. In: Angelle, P.S. and Torrance, D. (eds.) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership : An Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 1-19. ISBN 9783030108731

Torrance, D. (2018) Leadership, management and organisation in the primary school. In: Bryce, T.G.K., Humes, W.M., Gillies, D. and Kennedy, A. (eds.) Scottish Education [5th ed.]. Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 259-269. ISBN 9781474437844

Torrance, D. and Forde, C. (2017) Policy and practice in social justice leadership in Scotland. In: Angelle, P.S. (ed.) A Global Perspective of Social Justice Leadership for School Principals. Information Age Publishing, Inc.: Charlotte, NC, pp. 187-208. ISBN 9781681238739

Torrance, D. , Fuller, K., McNae, R., Roofe, C. and Arshad, R. (2017) A social justice perspective on women in educational leadership. In: Miller, P. (ed.) Cultures of Leadership: Global and Intercultural Perspectives. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Palgrave Macmillan: London, England, pp. 25-50. ISBN 9781137585660

Torrance, D. (2016) Support staff as leaders of learning. In: Martin, C.R., Fleming, M.P. and Smith, H. (eds.) Mental Health and Well-Being in the Learning and Teaching Environment. Swan & Horn: Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland. ISBN 9781909675025

Carroll, M. and Torrance, D. (2013) Classroom management: working with school support assistants in the primary classroom. In: Bryce, T.G.K., Humes, W.M., Gillies, D. and Kennedy, A. (eds.) Scottish Education [4th ed]. Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 413-422. ISBN 9780748645824

Torrance, D. (2013) The transition to headship/principalship. In: Brundrett, M. (ed.) The Principles of School Leadership [2nd ed]. SAGE Publications: London, England, pp. 203-220. ISBN 9781446201442

Torrance, D. (2011) Preparing to lead: Coaching, mentoring and tutoring in leadership development. In: Forde, C. and O'Brien, J. (eds.) Coaching and Mentoring: Developing Teachers and Leaders. Dunedin Academic Press: Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 45-62. ISBN 9781906716295

Edited Books

Angelle, P. S. and Torrance, D. (Eds.) (2019) Cultures of Social Justice Leadership: an Intercultural Context of Schools. Series: Intercultural studies in education. Springer. ISBN 9783030108731

Research Reports or Papers

Woods, P. A., Simkins, T., Donnelly, C., Hamilton, T., Jones, K., Potter, I. and Torrance, D. (2019) Educational Leadership and Administration in the United Kingdom: A Comparative Review. Project Report. British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society (BELMAS).

Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2016) Developing as a Leader (2014-15). Other. University of Edinburgh, Report on the University of Edinburgh Teacher Education Partnership Pilot Course.

Torrance, D. and Murphy, D. (2016) Report on the University of Edinburgh Teacher Education Partnership Pilot Course: Developing Teacher Leadership (2014-16). Other. University of Edinburgh.

Torrance, D. and Pritchard, I. (2010) Developing Alternative Routes to School Headship: Evaluation of the University DARE 2 Programme, 2009-10. Documentation. University of Edinburgh, Centre for Educational Leadership.

Woods, P. A. et al. (2007) Headteachers’ Professional Development: Provision, Barriers and Needs. Documentation. University of Aberdeen.

Conference or Workshop Item

Torrance, D. , Forde, C. , Mitchell, A. , Harvie, J. and McMahon, M. (2021) Using the Delphi Method to Investigate the Work of School Middle Leadership Teams. ECER 2021 European Conference on Educational Research, 06-10 Sep 2021.

Forde, C. , Mitchell, A. , Harvie, J. , McMahon, M. and Torrance, D. (2021) The Changing Role of the Headteacher in Scottish Education: Implications for Headship Preparation and Induction. ECER 2021 European Conference on Educational Research, 06-10 Sep 2021.

Forde, C. , Harvie, J. , McMahon, M. , Mitchell, A. and Torrance, D. (2021) Back on Track or Re-envisioning a Different Track. Social Justice Leadership and its Implications in the Post-Pandemic Scottish Education Systems. BELMAS UK Review Webinar: Post COVID Future of Educational Leadership and Administration, 26 May 2021.

Torrance, D. , Mitchell, A. , Harvie, J. , McMahon, M. and Forde, C. (2021) How Can Leadership-as-Practice and Collective Leadership Re-Vision Headship? Colloquium on Collective Leadership and L-A-P: How Can We Raise Each Other Up, 21 Jan 2021.

Mitchell, A. , Torrance, D. , Forde, C. , Harvie, J. and McMahon, M. (2021) Social justice leadership in Scottish schools: Building on co-constructed understandings and aspirations. Centre for Leadership and Diversity (CLD) at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) Annual International Conference, Toronto, Canada (Online), 9- 10 December 2021.

Torrance, D. , Harvie, J. , Mitchell, A. and Forde, C. (2021) Emerging Issues from the Future of Headship Research Programme. British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS 2021), 2-3 July 2021.

Conference Proceedings

Harvie, J. and Torrance, D. (2022) School leaders as research participants: What questions should we ask about their experiences as research participants? In: British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS 2022), Liverpool, UK, 8-10 July 2022, (Accepted for Publication)

This list was generated on Sun Dec 4 12:54:52 2022 GMT.

Grants

2017-2018

Awarded as project lead role, £108,000 of Scottish Government funding to develop the new national ‘Into Headship’ programme for aspirant headteachers.

2017-2018

Awarded as project lead role, £142,516 of Scottish Government funding to support increased opportunities for teachers to undertake professional learning at Masters level through a number of innovative initiatives.

2016-2017

Awarded as project lead role, £90,000 of Scottish Government funding to develop the new national ‘Into Headship’ programme for aspirant headteachers.

2016-2017

Awarded as project lead role, £131,600 of Scottish Government funding to support increased opportunities for teachers to undertake professional learning at Masters level through a number of innovative initiatives.

2015-2017

Awarded as project lead role, £48,000 of Scottish Government funding to develop the new national ‘Into Headship’ programme for aspirant headteachers.

2015-2018

Awarded as project lead role, £186,782 of Scottish Government funding to support increased opportunities for teachers to undertake professional learning at Masters level through a number of innovative initiatives.

2015

Awarded as expert consultant £1,000 to complete analysis work for the new national headship programme for the Scottish College for Educational Leadership.

2014

Awarded as project co-lead role together with colleagues from the Business School and the School of Social and Political Science £1,100 of University of Edinburgh Innovative Learning Week Funding for the ‘Inviting Venture Philanthropist to the Ivory Tower’ initiative.

2014-2015

Awarded as project lead role, £118,325 of Scottish Government funding to support career-long professional learning including Masters-level learning.

2014-2016

Awarded as project lead role, £147,552 of Scottish Government funding to facilitate an increase in Masters-level learning.

2014-2017

Awarded in a project support role for £271,416 of Scottish Government funding to support Early Phase professional learning.

2013

Awarded as principal expert £12,000 to develop and deliver teacher leadership; Faculty PT leadership; and Headship CPD across Midlothian Council, developing its Local Authority educational leadership strategy.

2013

Awarded, as co-principal (with Dr Gillian Robinson) £159,000 ‘to support increased Masters level study by teachers’.

2013

Awarded, as co-principal (with Dr Gillian Robinson) £109,440 in ‘to support increased Masters level study by teachers’.

2013

Awarded as principal expert £2,400 to develop and deliver Faculty PT leadership CPD across Midlothian Council, developing its Local Authority educational leadership strategy.

2012

Awarded as principal expert £8,400 to develop and deliver Teacher Leadership CPD across Midlothian Council, developing its Local Authority educational leadership strategy.

2010

Awarded as principal investigator £3,000 as consultant to Fife Council, developing its Local Authority educational leadership strategy.

2007

Awarded £1,772 as a project team member for a research project commissioned by Learning and Teaching Scotland, Headteachers’ Professional Development: provision, barriers and needs.

2007

Awarded, as co-principal investigator (with Prof. Jim O’Brien) £126,100 for the ‘DARE pilot to develop alternative routes to achieving the Standard for Headship’.

Awarded, together with Dr Jim O’Brien, Tony van der Kuyl and Alex Alexandrou an undisclosed amount from Highland Council funding for the project ‘Quality Indicators of Leadership: QuIL’.

Supervision

I am able to supervise doctoral theses relating to educational leadership and management, related to my areas of research interest as outlined above. Specific areas include:

  • headteacher / principal development
  • developing early / teacher leadership
  • developing middle leadership
  • school leadership and management
  • social justice leadership
  • women in leadership
  • school improvement processes
  • Professional Standards
  • D Primus, Betty
    Investigating Teacher Professional Development in Sabah: A Multiple-Case Study in Secondary Schools

Teaching

My current contract is research only. Previously, in my role at the University of Edinburgh, I taught on several Masters courses and was also engaged in PhD supervision. Most of my teaching was related to the programmes I was Co-Director and Director for: the Masters in Leadership and Learning; the PG Certificate in Leadership and Learning: Into Headship (Specialist Qualification for Headship); the PG Certificate in Developing Educational Leadership and Learning (Teacher Leadership).

 

External Examiner

2018-2019: External Examiner to the University of Glasgow's School of Education, for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme.

Since 2019: External Examiner to the University of Coventry's School of Education, for the new PhD in Global Education programme.

Additional information

International Invitations:

September 2015 - ongoing: Member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Intercultural Studies in Education series published by Palgrave McMillian. The Editorial Advisory Board reflects the interdisciplinary nature and global reach of the series (including new markets from the global south). The Board serves as expert advisors, reviewers, and conduits for identifying potential authors for the series. 

February 2018: International Guest Scholar for the University of Tennessee’s ‘Comparative Studies in Global Leadership’ Programme.

April 2016: Appointment as resident visiting academic to the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

August 2015: Nominated for the William Evans Fellowship, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

July 2015: Member of the Invited Experts Panel. BELMAS 2015 Conference, Wokefield Park, Berkshire, UK.

July 2013: Represented SELMAS at the BELMAS Inaugural International Congress of Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Societies.

 

Media/ Press:

During February 2015, together with Dr Rowena Arshad, Deirdre featured in the Universities public blog entries and a number of India media opportunities, representing the School of Education and the University in its efforts to stage its most ambitious series of events in India. One example: Arshad, R. and Torrance, D. (2015) Where are the women leaders in higher education?  EDU Teach Article (For Leaders in Higher Education).

Deirdre has been quoted in a number of GTCS and TESS articles over the years. She also wrote an article for TESS: Humes, W. and Torrance, D. (2013) All aboard the leadership bandwagon?

Deirdre was also quoted in a FEdS Report in January 2012: The Scotland Briefing under teacher employment, education and development. FEdS Consultancy Group.

On 18 September 2013, Deirdre was interviewed by David Noble on the subject of distributed leadership (broadcast, then downloadable podcast): 'The Problematic Nature of Distributed Leadership'. Guest interviewee for Radio Edutalk (http://www.edutalk.info).


Deirdre Torrance profile pic