Educational Foundations and Leadership is one of the six fields of study supported by the Nova Scotia PhD Program in Educational Studies.

This study area involves critical investigation of the roots, tensions and controversies of Canadian education. Students in this area of study examine the relationship between the role of education and leadership in the larger society.

Central to educational foundations and leadership are pedagogical issues of values, morals, ethics and the critical examination of power relationships in society and educational politics.

Of special interest in Nova Scotia are power issues relevant to First Nations peoples, African Nova Scotians, and people rural areas. Close to three quarters of Nova Scotians live in rural areas and upwards of half of rural Nova Scotians do not complete high school.

Researchers in this area of study and explore different and sometimes competing visions of the ideal society, and educational leadership and practices.