Navigating Advocacy and Ethics: Social Justice Educational Leaders' Perspectives.

Equity and inclusion efforts have increased at educational institutions in the United States. However, equity and inclusion leadership has been fraught with political challenges, as well as a lack of resources, clear strategic direction, and campus support and engagement. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study aimed to examine the lived experiences of educators and leaders working for social justice in educational contexts in the United States. The researchers interviewed seven participants, focusing on the research question: How do educational leaders describe the ways they navigate the ethical dimensions of advocacy? The researchers underpinned their analysis using a conceptual framework based on established frameworks for social justice leadership and Critical Race Theory; both emphasize contextual analysis and seek to challenge systemic inequities. The researchers used an inductive and iterative process that produced the following emergent theme: leaders' development of frameworks for advocacy and ethics as they pursue social justice goals. The results suggest specific leadership strategies useful to educational leaders, such as communication, relationship-building, and ethical advocacy for their contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]