ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to explore the ways in which leaders and social justice are imagined in science ction (sf) narratives, particularly visual texts. The chapter is not a critical analysis of these texts, but an introduction for leadership scholars as to the ways in which representations of leaders in sf television and lm can inuence the way we think about leadership. (For a comprehensive overview of science ction history and theories, see The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction, 2009.) Interestingly, popular culture artifacts echo the theories and desired outcomes often associated with leadership, in that they establish “norms, social boundaries, rituals, and innovations, while also paving the way for social change” (Kidd, 2007, p. 71). Films, in general, “shape and constitute our understanding of social and organizational life . . . [and are] a powerful tool for illustrating topics and concepts and for demonstrating the application of theory” (Huczynski and Buchanan, 2004, p. 708). The intention for primarily discussing visual sf narratives is they are often more readily known and accessible to those who are not science ction fans, and can also become a collective experience from which discussions of leadership and issues of social justice can be fostered.
