Dr Jacqueline Baxter

Professional biography

My research interests lie in the area of public service leadership, governance, management and accountablity, and i have a particular focus on the strategic leadership of education. My approach to strategic leadership is in relation to strategy as practice /strategy is learning. I am interested in supervising phd studies that focus on any aspect of strategic leadership in the public services. 

Some of my most recent publications are below: 

Journal Articles : 

1. Myers, F., Baxter, J., Selby-Fell, H., and Morales, A. (2025) Navigating from industry to higher education: practitioner transitions to academic life, British Educational Research Journal , (in press)
2. Baxter, J., Floyd, A., and Morales, A (2024) Strategy as learning in a crisis situation in education: Is there evidence of identity as a core component of strategy as learning in schools ?, School Leadership and Management,  
3. Floyd, A. Baxter, J, Morales, A and Bari, R (2023) ‘Leading online learning during a pandemic and beyond: challenges and opportunities for school leaders in England.’ Educational Leadership, Management and Administration (accepted 260723 in press).
4. Baxter, J., and Ehren, M. (2023) Factors contributing to and detracting from relational trust in leadership: The case of primary schools in South Africa’, Frontiers in Education, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1004575/full
5. Ehren, M. and Baxter, J. (in press) ‘A national curriculum to reduce inequality? South Africa’s curriculum and assessment policy’, The Journal of Curriculum Studies.
6. Ehren, M., Paterson, A.,Camphuijsen,M., and Baxter,J. (2022)‘High and low performing schools in South Africa: Metaphors as a lens to understand teachers’ views of school organisation’, International Journal of Educational Research,116:doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.102094
7. Baxter, J. and Jewitt, K. (2021) ‘The scheme of delegation as a sensemaking framework in Multi Academy Trusts in England: Useful tool or constraint?’, Education, Management, Administration and Leadership: doi:10.1177/17411432211051907 (90% contribution).
8. Baxter, J. and John, A. (2020) ‘Strategy as learning in multi-academy trusts in England: strategic thinking in action’, School Leadership and Management, 41 (4-5), pp. 290-310. (80% contribution).
9. Baxter, J. (2020) ‘An Editors’ Tale: Past, present and future of Management in Education’, Management in Education, 35(1), pp. 3–7.
10. Baxter, J. and Cornforth, C. (2019) ‘Governing collaborations: how boards engage with their communities in multi-academy trusts in England’, Public Management Review, 48(1), pp. 290–310 (80% contribution). This paper contributed to the strengthening of local boards in MATS in the Government White Paper on Education -2022 : https://schoolsweek.co.uk/white-paper-the-all-mat-system-needs-governance-buy-in/
11. Baxter, J. and Floyd, A. (2019 ) ‘Strategic narrative in Multi Academy trusts: Principal drivers for expansion’, British Educational Research Journal, 45( 5), pp. 1050–1071 (80% contribution).
12. Ehren, M., Paterson, A. and Baxter, J. (2019) ‘Accountability and trust: Two sides of the same coin?’, Journal of Educational Change, 21, pp. 183–213 (60% contribution).
13. Baxter. J. (2017) ‘School Governor Regulation in England’s Changing Education Landscape’, Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 45(1), pp. 20–39.
14. Baxter, J. (2015) ‘Faire sens de la gouvernance des écoles en Angleterre ; sources d'information et défis’, Recherches et Formation, pp. 51–68. Available at: http://rechercheformation.revues.org/2369.

1. Baxter, Patent and Winter (2025 in press) Does Self-perceived introversion create a barrier to leadership emergence in Higher Education: a case study approach, in  S, G, Huber,  The International Handbook for Governance, Leadership, Administration, and Management in Education (Palgrave, in press, 2025).
2. Baxter, J. (in press) ‘Trust in school leadership: the case of South Africa’ in Dennis, A. (ed.) The Impact of Policy on the practice of educational leadership: Management, governance, administration, authority and power, Palgrave.
3. Ehren, M. and Baxter, J. (2020) ‘Trust, capacity and accountability; three building blocks of education system reform’ in Ehren, M., Baxter, J. and Paterson, A. (eds.) Accountability, trust and capacity in education system reform, Routledge, pp-1-30. ISBN 9780367362492.
4. Ehren, M. and Baxter, J. (2020) ‘Governance of education systems: trust, accountability and capacity in hierarchies, markets and networks’ in Ehren, M., Baxter, J. and Paterson, A. (eds.) Accountability, trust and capacity in education system reform, Routledge, pp 30-55. ISBN 9780367362492.
5. Baxter, J. and Ehren, M. (2020) ‘Distrusting cultures and contexts and capacity for system level improvement’ in Ehren, M., Baxter, J. and Paterson, A. (eds.) Accountability, trust and capacity in education system reform, Routledge, pp 78-102. ISBN 9780367362492.
6. Ehren, M. and Baxter, J. (2020) ‘System level perspectives of interactions between trust, accountability and capacity-building: Conclusions’ in Ehren, M., Baxter, J. and Paterson, A. (eds.) Accountability, trust and capacity in education system reform, Routledge, pp 288-305. ISBN 9780367362492.
7. Baxter, J. (2020) ‘Corruption, nepotism and a culture of distrust in South Africa’ in Ehren, M., Baxter, J. and Paterson, A. (eds.) Accountability, trust and capacity in education system reform, Routledge, pp 201-222. ISBN 9780367362492,.
8. Baxter, J. (2019) ‘New modes of collaborative governance: Governing collaborations in a new school landscape, power, control and communication’ in Allen, J. and Artiles, A.J. (eds.) 2020 World Yearbook of Education, Routledge, pp 33-55. ISBN 9780429431951
9. Baxter, J. (2019a) ‘School Boards and Their Role in the Governance of Education’ in Papa, R. (ed.) Oxford Encyclopedia of Educational Administration, Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780190857547, online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.704.
10. Baxter, J. (2018) ‘School Inspectors in Europe: exploring their role in implementing and shaping inspection policy: A narrative approach, in Wilkins, A. and Olmedo, A. (eds.) Education Governance and Social Theory: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Research. Palgrave, pp 83-103. ISBN:HB:978-1-3500-4006-9.
11. Baxter, J. (2017) ‘School Inspectors: shaping and evolving policy understandings’ in Baxter, J. (ed.) School Inspectors Operational Challenges in National Policy Contexts, Springer, pp 259-275. ISBN: 978-3-319-52536-5
12. Baxter, J. and Hult, A. (2016) ‘Different Systems, Different Identities: The Work of Inspectors in Sweden and England,’ in J. Baxter (ed.) School Inspectors: operational challenges in National Policy Contexts, Springer, pp 45-71.ISBN: 978-3-319-52536-5
13. Lawn, M., Baxter, J., Segerholm, C. and Grek, S. (2014) ‘Inspection and the local’ in Grek, S. and Lindengren, J. (eds.) Governing by inspection: embodied regulation, Routledge, pp 96–116, ISBN 978-1138796050.
14. Baxter, J. and Rönnberg, L. (2014) ‘Inspection in the Media’ in Grek, S. and Lindengren, J. (eds.) Governing by Inspection: Embodied Regulation, Routledge, pp 159–172, ISBN 978-1138796050
15. Baxter, J., Grek, S. and Segerholm, C. (2014) ‘Shifting frameworks: shifting criteria’ in Grek, S. and Lindengren, J. (eds.) Governing by inspection: embodied regulation, Routledge, pp 74–96, ISBN 978-1138796050.

I have a great interest in digital teaching and learning and have published a number of books and articles on this topic. I am course lead on the Leadership module of the MBA and also teach on the undergraduate leadership module. 

Some of my teaching related publications are : 

1. Hardie, L., Ryan, F., & Baxter, J. (2024). Every truth has two sides: The impact of chat GPT on Law and Business education. In J. Baxter, A. Gilbert, L. Hardie, R. Ramanau, & H. Selby-Fell (Eds.), Creativity and Critique in digital learning and teaching: Insights for learning design in business and law London Palgrave
2. Gilbert, A., Baxter, J., & Selby-Fell, H. (2024). Where are we now with digital teaching? Critical reflections on digital teaching and SoTL in business and law. In J. Baxer, H. Selby-Fell, & A. Gilbert (Eds.), Creativity and critique in digital learning and teaching: Insights for learning design in business and law. . London Palgrave
3. Baxter, J., Selby-Fell, H., & Gilbert, A. (2024). Preface and Introduction to Creativity and Critique in Digital Learning and Teaching: Insights for learning design in business and law In J. Baxter, H. Selby-Fell, & A. Gilbert (Eds.), Creativity and Critique in Digital Learning and Teaching: Insights for learning design in business and law London Palgrave
4. Baxter, J., & Hinton, M., C. (2024). Digital Poverty in the UK and Its Impact on Higher Education: a human rights approach. In J. Baxter, H. Selby-Fell, & A. Gilbert (Eds.), Creativity and Critique in digital learning and teaching: Insights for learning design in business and law. London Palgrave

5. Baxter, J, Selby Fell, H, Gilbert, A (2024 in press) Creativity and Critique in digital learning and teaching: insights for business and law, Palgrave, London.

6. Baxter, J., Callaghan, G. and McAvoy, J. (2018) Creativity and Critique in online learning, Palgrave. (now in top 10 most downloaded books in category , 2019-21, and used as a basis for development events across campus-based universities during pandemic e.g. University of Bedfordshire, University of Leicester).

g at: http://jacquelinebaxter.net/

Or follow me on twitter @drjacquebaxter

I am a strong believer in bringing research to a practitioner audience and received my professorship on the Knowledge Exchange pathway. 

I work with organisations, government departments and charities to carry out research and advise on learning , online learning, governance, leadership and accountabiliy in educaiton and the public services. 

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Journalism

Shortlisted for CIPR Outstanding Educational Commentary Award 2014 : http://www.cipr.co.uk/sites/default/files/Shortlisted%20Entrants%20Education%20Journalism%20Awards%202014.pdf

• The Guardian Newspaper :Sir Philip Dilley’s resignation shows how hard it is to be a public sector chair http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2016/jan/14/sir-phillip-dilley-resignation-public-sector-chair-environment-agency
• The Observer Newspaper 191014- Expert Commentary on Head teachers as inspectors: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/18/headteachers-ofsted-inspectors-accountability
• Editor of The British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Blog at: https://www.belmas.org.uk/BELMAS-Blog
• Regulatory Overkill. Rising inequality and profiteering from education? Is this the future for English Education?https://www.belmas.org.uk/BELMAS-Blog/regulatory-overkill-rising-inequality-and-profiteering-from-education-is-this-the-future-for-english-education

• Education Column: The Spectre: policy and politics in the public Sector.www.theconversation.com

• What does the head of Ofsted do? https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-head-of-ofsted-do-54929
• The Government’s vision for education is difficult to swallow – here’s why: https://theconversation.com/the-governments-vision-for-education-is-difficult-to-swallow-heres-why-53349
• More women on company boards but what about the public sector ?: https://theconversation.com/more-women-on-company-boards-but-what-about-the-public-sector-50498
• By extending the remit of PCCs the government is playing with fire : https://theconversation.com/more-women-on-company-boards-but-what-about-the-public-sector-50498
• Like it or not, schools are being converted into academies, that’s anti-democratic: https://theconversation.com/more-women-on-company-boards-but-what-about-the-public-sector-50498

• Education Column: Ruling the School – Politics, policy and power in education: www.theconversation.com

• Why it is a huge mistake to get rid of parent governors on school boards: https://theconversation.com/why-it-is-a-huge-mistake-to-get-rid-of-parent-governors-on-school-boards-56700
• What does the head of Ofsted do? https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-head-of-ofsted-do-54929
• The Government’s vision for education is difficult to swallow- here’s why. https://theconversation.com/the-governments-vision-for-education-is-difficult-to-swallow-heres-why-53349
• More women on company boards, but what about the public sector? https://theconversation.com/more-women-on-company-boards-but-what-about-the-public-sector-50498
• By extending the remit of PCCs, the government is playing with fire: https://theconversation.com/by-extending-the-remit-of-pccs-the-government-is-playing-with-fire-47909
• Like it or not, schools are being converted into academies, that’s anti-democratic. https://theconversation.com/like-it-or-not-schools-are-being-converted-into-academies-thats-anti-democratic-47012
• Note to the next education minister: leave schools alone: https://theconversation.com/note-to-the-next-education-minister-leave-schools-alone-41378
• There’s more to primary school place shortages than the cost of free schools: https://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-primary-school-place-shortages-than-the-cost-of-free-schools-40608
• First job for the next education minister: avoid a teacher strike over school budgets: https://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-primary-school-place-shortages-than-the-cost-of-free-schools-40608
• The spectre of ‘British Values’ and education policy: https://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-primary-school-place-shortages-than-the-cost-of-free-schools-40608
• Parents at Durham Free School are paying a high price for the ideology of school choice: https://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-primary-school-place-shortages-than-the-cost-of-free-schools-40608
• Governance in the spotlight as Ofsted finds 170,00 children in ‘inadequate’ secondary schools: https://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-primary-school-place-shortages-than-the-cost-of-free-schools-40608
• Debate over national values is a threat to the education system: https://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-primary-school-place-shortages-than-the-cost-of-free-schools-40608
• You wouldn’t want an unqualified doctor or lawyer…so why are untrained teachers ok? https://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-primary-school-place-shortages-than-the-cost-of-free-schools-40608
• Trojan Horse : Snap School inspections will not solve wider governance issueshttps://theconversation.com/trojan-horse-snap-school-inspections-will-not-solve-wider-governance-issues-27824
• Heaping on the pressure won’t attract school governors
• https://theconversation.com/heaping-on-pressure-wont-attract-more-school-governors-27255
• Ofsted’s Future at stake after Trojan Horse Scandal: https://theconversation.com/ofsteds-future-at-stake-after-trojan-horse-scandal-25936
• Lessons from Europe on how best to inspect schools: https://theconversation.com/lessons-from-europe-on-how-best-to-inspect-schools-28638
• Teaching British Values to toddlers will be tough to enforce: https://theconversation.com/teaching-british-values-to-toddlers-will-be-tough-to-enforce-30436
• After Trojan Horse, why paying school governors is not a catch all solution: https://theconversation.com/after-trojan-horse-why-paying-school-governors-is-not-a-catch-all-solution-29500
• Trojan Horse: Snap school inspections will not solve wider governance issues: https://theconversation.com/trojan-horse-snap-school-inspections-will-not-solve-wider-governance-issues-27824
• Heaping on pressure won’t attract more school governors: https://theconversation.com/heaping-on-pressure-wont-attract-more-school-governors-27255
• Sending in Ofsted to inspect private schools could level the education playing field: https://theconversation.com/sending-in-ofsted-to-inspect-private-schools-could-level-the-education-playing-field-26832

• Discover Society

• Riding out the Crisis: The Trojan Horse, the media and the inspectorate- implications for Ofsted: http://www.discoversociety.org/

• Open Learn

• Baxter, J. (2014). Without fear or favour? School inspection in turbulent times. Retrieved from http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/social-policy/trojan-horse-snap-school-inspections-will-not-solve-wider-governance-issues
• Blog Posts: www.jacquelinebaxter.net
• Guest Blog: Regulating the governor, a case of MAD?
• http://saseproject.com/2014/01/25/regulating-the-governor-a-case-of-mad/

https://www.open.ac.uk/projects/leading-online-learning/