Thought Leadership in Education: Who SHOULD Hold the Mic?

Who do we consider thought leaders in education?

Traditionally, thought leaders in education have followed a familiar path – classroom teachers who became leaders and, eventually, sector influencers. Their lived experience has shaped education in powerful ways.

But is that the only path? Are we limiting the conversation by defining thought leadership in education too narrowly in today’s world?

Education is evolving rapidly. New challenges, emerging technologies, and shifting expectations demand fresh thinking. Lived experience in schools provides essential insights, but could broadening the conversation further unlock new possibilities?

Should there be more – or less – emphasis on thought leadership from:

• Experts at the intersection of education, neuroscience, business, and technology.
• Researchers who study learning and leadership without leading a school.
• Policymakers shaping the sector without direct classroom experience.
• Global thinkers challenging long-held assumptions about best practice.

This isn’t about replacing one type of expertise with another – it’s about recognising the strength in diverse perspectives. But what is the right balance?

It’s not uncommon in education to see an idea rise to the top, only to be rehashed and repackaged in a new format—ultimately the same content, just presented differently.

When does the sector need to move beyond reinvention and instead pivot in an entirely new direction?

And perhaps more importantly—how open are we, as a sector, to embracing a broader mix of ideas? Who else, and what other sectors, can we genuinely learn from?

Expanding the Conversation

The future of education isn’t shaped by one perspective alone. It requires a balance—practical leadership from within schools and big-picture thinking from beyond them.

As we navigate an ever-changing landscape, maybe it’s time to ask:

• Who do we consider an education thought leader?
• Whose voices are missing from the conversation?
• Are we reinforcing the past, or genuinely shaping the future?

Do we need to step off the familiar treadmill and run on a new road—one shaped by future visionaries, not just past traditions? To move forward, we must work with them, not just follow in their footsteps…

We’d love to hear your thoughts on thought leadership in educational leadership. Who has influenced your thinking? Have they come from the traditional path—teachers who became educational leaders—or from outside education entirely? Why?

Explore our Voices of Change: Leading Education Forward series, where we feature a range of perspectives on what’s next for education.