Shaping the Future of Business and Economics Education

I-LEAD: Innovation, Leadership, Education and Development is King's Business School's centre for advancing the future of business and economics education. Through research, innovation and partnership, we develop transformative approaches to teaching and learning that respond to the changing needs of students, employers and society.

Our mission is to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice by co-creating inclusive, sustainable and evidence-informed educational initiatives with students, educators, alumni and external partners. Together, we undertake purposeful scholarship and design learning that equips graduates with the knowledge, skills and mindsets to lead responsibly in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world.

As a vibrant community of practice, I-LEAD brings together diverse perspectives to generate new knowledge, share effective practice and drive educational innovation. By combining thought leadership with practical action, we are redefining business and economics education for a changing world.

Values

Transformative: Extending beyond academic success to foster creativity and innovation able to transform business practices, and educational systems, to make the world a better place.

Student-centred: Students are our investment in tomorrow. To gain strong, ethical leaders we must offer a secure foundation of support as they form the personal and business identities that will help them become change agents in their future careers.

Collaborative: The society we seek to serve is a rich tapestry, and the best solutions bring diverse communities to the table. Inclusivity is not just an ideal; but a practical necessity to create holistic, effective approaches from stimulating the best thinking from students, educators, industry leaders and communities, all working for real change.

Evidence-Based: A commitment to rigorous, evidence-based research ensures the educational methods and practices are effective and lead to measurable change.

Key Objectives

1. To transform student success by creating inclusive, authentic and evidence-informed educational experiences that develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and networks needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
2. To advance educational scholarship and leadership by fostering a collaborative community that empowers educators to innovate, undertake impactful pedagogic research and lead educational change across the sector.
3. To build meaningful partnerships with industry, schools, charities, higher education institutions and communities to co-create learning, research and knowledge exchange that delivers shared societal impact.
4. To shape the future of business and economics education through thought leadership, policy engagement, research and collaboration, establishing I-LEAD as a nationally and internationally recognised centre for educational innovation and excellence.

Annual Report

You can read about our activities and progress in our inaugural annual report.