ABSTRACT

I have now had over twenty years of what, in 1995, I am prepared to describe as academic management although, in 1973, when I first became responsible for a university academic department, the word management would not have entered my mind as appropriate to describe even part of my job. However, times have changed and there is now no doubt that pro vice chancellors, deans, heads of departments and wardens of university halls of residence (all roles I have held or now fill) are managers. But what can they manage and what are appropriate ways of managing?