Aqeel Tirmizi, PhD, and Ken William, EdD recently offered a webinar titled “Three Decades of Leadership Research: Meta-Analytic Insights” in collaboration with the International Leadership Association (ILA). Aqeel and Ken are core faculty members in the PHD in Leadership and Change program. The seminar was based on their ongoing research initiative examining a wealth of leadership knowledge in relation to meta-analytic leadership studies, with important implications for leadership practice. The insights were drawn from an extensive body of research spanning more than 30 years, encompassing over 2,000 studies, more than 60 meta-analyses, and data from over 2.5 million participants. The event took place on April 16, 2026. It was moderated by Dr. Kevin Lowe, Professor of Leadership at The University of Sydney Business School, and is currently the ILA Board Chair. Over 250 participants from 23 countries engaged with this opportunity.
The session started with an introduction to the meta-analysis methodology, which, in simple terms, is an empirical study of studies. The webinar covered a series of important themes regarding the effectiveness of various leadership approaches. The presentation connected emerging findings to contemporary issues the world is facing and offered reflection points and questions for the audience. The session also created space for some participant input and offered directions and questions that may inform the study and direction of leadership in the coming decades. Overall, it was an important opportunity to share Antioch University’s important and exciting research evidence with a global audience.
