A Pracademic Approach to Leadership Studies

While robust scholarship and lengthy, often complex explanations are the norm when it comes to publishing in the academic world, everyday readers as well as other academics often just want to know, “What does this mean, and what can I do with this information?” But, unless content is more accessible in lay terms, some excellent scholarly research may go left unread, driving potential readers to publications that showcase more consumable and practical ideas, like trendy leadership books with scant credible research. However, there is a third space between heavy empirical academic publications and trendy books. This space is the “pracademic” world, one marked by the intersection of research and practical interpretation and application. This article will highlight the third space of “pracademia” in leadership studies, its importance in advancing the field, and tools to help academics navigate this space effectively.