Dr Valerie Stead
Lecturer
Management Learning and Leadership
Charles Carter BuildingLancaster University
Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YX
Research Overview
My research centres on the learning of leadership and the development of leaders. Taking a critical approach I draw on ideas of gender and power to explore the interrelations between micro level and macro level practices that shape individuals’ learning of leadership. My current research is focused on the social and situated nature of women’s leadership learning. Through conducting empirical research I examine the dynamics of leadership learning in the workplace, to inform leadership and leadership development theory and practice. I co-ordinate the Academy for Women, Diversity and Leadership, a forum for researchers that meets annually.
Current Teaching
I am Director for the full-time MA in Human Resources and Consulting programme. I teach on research methods on postgraduate and undergraduate programmes and I contribute to consulting and leadership teaching at postgraduate and undergraduate level.
Recent publications
- Learning to deploy (in)visibility: an examination of women leaders’ lived experiences
Stead, V. 2013 In: Management Learning. 44, 1, p. 63-79. 17 p.
Journal article - Women entrepreneurial leaders and belonging: an alternative imagining
Stead, V. & Hamilton, E. 2012 In: 7th Biennial International Interedisciplinary Conference 27-29 June 2012 Keele Unviersity UK.
Conference contribution - Women's leadership learning: A reflexive review of representations and leadership teaching
Stead, V. & Elliott, C. 2013 In: Management Learning.
Journal article - Stereotypes of women’s leadership in times of crisis: power relations and hierarchies
Stead, V. & Elliott, C. 2012
Conference paper - Karin Klenke, Women in leadership: Contextual dynamics and boundaries
Stead, V. 05/2012 In: Leadership. 8, 2, 4 p.
Book/Film/Article review

