Professor Katina Pollock.
Professor Katina Pollock named 2026-2028 Faculty Scholar
Professor Katina Pollock has been named the 2026-2028 Faculty Scholar for Western Education for her outstanding contributions in research, teaching and service. The Faculty Scholars Award honours and celebrates mid-career faculty members at Western University who have an international presence in their discipline and are considered all-round scholars.
“Dr. Katina Pollock is an outstanding mid-career scholar whose record reflects sustained excellence, significant leadership and recent prominence in educational leadership research,” said nominator, dean Donna Kotsopoulos.
“Her work has made important contributions to scholarly understanding, professional practice and policy dialogue; her teaching and mentorship have had lasting impact; and her service has strengthened both Western University and the broader educational community.”
Pollock joined the Faculty of Education in 2008 and is a professor of educational leadership and policy. Her research agenda addresses a gap in the research in the work of school leaders. She focuses on school leaders’ work intensification and well-being, policy development and implementation, social justice and equity and the mobilization of knowledge.
“I am interested in supporting public education through the lens of school leaders, including principals, superintendents and vice principals. When functioning well, they are the glue that keeps the public education system together. Because they are few in number, they don’t often get recognition for their work,” said Pollock.
“There are many inequities that exist for this workforce, which cross a variety of dimensions, including gender, race and ethnicity. I work in partnership with school leaders’ associations across Canada, and with other researchers, to bring awareness to these issues and propose tangible solutions.”
Currently, Pollock is leading two Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)-funded projects which explore the intensification of school leaders’ work on their health and well-being with the aim of influencing public policy for a positive work environment.
“One of the things that principals don't have is the same labour privileges as teachers, or many other workers in the Canadian workforce, because they're considered management,” said Pollock.
“For example, they're not guaranteed a 45-minute lunch break at a set time, and their hours are not numbered. We think that the additional work they do has an impact on both their health and on how they do their work. My current SSHRC Partnership Development Grant and Partnership Engage Grant projects are going to address that.”
The first study, Canadian Principals’ Work, Occupational Health, Safety and Well-being, is a longitudinal study aimed at demonstrating trends in principal’s health over time and developing support tools and advocacy resources. Her second project, The Influence of Work Intensification on School Leaders’ Sleep and Eating Habits, is an ecological momentary assessment study that will gather real-time data via text messages from100 school leaders across Canada to better understand the impacts of workplace stressors on key health markers.
As of May 2025, Pollock has produced a total of 116 publications and has been cited more than 800 times by researchers in at least 68 countries or regions outside of Canada. Her research has positioned her as a leader in school leaders’ work and wellness and has influenced education, government, healthcare and nonprofit sectors.
“Dr. Pollock’s scholarship is distinguished by a consistent focus on closing the research–practice–policy gap, ensuring that research evidence is accessible, timely and directly responsive to the realities of educational systems,” said Kotsopoulos.
“Her research on school leaders’ work and wellness informs school district decision-making, provincial policy development across Canada and professional leadership practice.”
In addition to her research impact, Pollock maintains a robust service agenda. At Western, she has held more than 10 leadership roles including academic coordinator of the Doctor of Education program and senator on the University Research Board of Senate. Outside of Western, she has held several senior leadership roles including co-director of the Knowledge Network for Applied Education Research and co-director of the University Council for Education Administration Centre for the International Study of School Leadership.
Pollock’s contributions as an educator are reflected in her repeated receipt of the Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award at Western University. She is also a recipient of the University Student’s Council Teaching Honour Roll Award of Excellence. According to a student referee for the Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award, Pollock combines high standards with compassionate support, inspiring confidence and empowering students to grow.
“She maintains rigorous academic expectations while recognizing that students occupy professional, personal and community roles beyond the university. She supports students through those realities without lowering standards,” said PhD candidate Ruth Nielson who was supervised by Pollock.
“This balance reflects deep pedagogical skill and a clear commitment to meaningful learning. In my case, her mentorship changed what I believed was possible for myself and equipped me with the skills needed to succeed in complex research and leadership roles.”
