Academic Leaders as Thermostats

University of Joensuu launched atwo-year development and training project onacademic management and leadership in thebeginning of 2002. Open seminars were arrangedfor heads for departments, deans andadministrative managers. In addition,personnel administration started pilot projectswith two departments in co-operation with theFinnish Institute of Occupational Health. Theidea was to develop both (a) leadership andmanagement and (b) division of work, workability and workplace health. The author's bookAcademic Leadership (Nova Science Publishers,New York) provides a background for thispractical development project. The articledeals with academic leadership, leadershipphilosophy and the system of personnelmanagement at the University of Joensuu, thedevelopment projects, and lessons learned fromthem so far.