Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Three: The Escalation of Violence in Schools and Its Repercussions for Principals’ Emotional Labour

Jane Wilkinson; Lucas Walsh; Christine Grice; Fiona Longmuir; Philippa Chandler; Amanda M. Keddie; Timothy Delany

doi:10.26180/30369979

Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Three: The Escalation of Violence in Schools and Its Repercussions for Principals’ Emotional Labour

Jane Wilkinson, Lucas Walsh, Christine Grice, Fiona Longmuir, Philippa Chandler, Amanda M. Keddie, Timothy Delany

Research output: Book/Report › Other Report › Research

Abstract

This report provides findings from the ARC Discovery Grant (DP230100594) research project: Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times. A collaboration between Monash University, Deakin University and the University of Sydney, this third report explores the Escalation of Violence in Schools and Its Repercussions for Principals’ Emotional Labour.

The report investigates the rising violence in Australian schools and its profound impact on the emotional labour of public-school principals. Drawing on 298 critical incident testimonies from 256 public-school principals, corroborated by stakeholder interviews, case studies and a policy audit, the research reveals how principals are increasingly expected to manage physical threats, gendered violence, and systemic neglect—often without adequate support or recognition.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Melbourne Vic Australia
Publisher	Monash University
Number of pages	28
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26180/30369979
Publication status	Published - Feb 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

education
principals
emotional labour
health and wellbeing
public schooling
principal attraction and retention
violence
gender-based violence
principal burnout
solidarity

Access to Document

10.26180/30369979Licence: CC BY-NC-SA

759356615-oaFinal published version, 1.1 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-SA

Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Four: “Hung out to Dry”
Wilkinson, J., Walsh, L., Grice, C., Longmuir, F., Chandler, P., Keddie, A. M. & Delany, T., 23 Mar 2026, Melbourne Vic Australia: Monash University. 26 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other Report › Research

Open Access
File
Invisible Labour: Principals' Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report One: Technical Overview of the Project
Wilkinson, J., Walsh, L., Grice, C., Longmuir, F., Chandler, P., Keddie, A. & Delany, T., Nov 2025, Melbourne Vic Australia: Monash University. 23 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other Report › Other

Open Access
File
Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Two: The Emotional Labour of the School Principal
Wilkinson, J., Walsh, L., Grice, C., Longmuir, F., Chandler, P., Keddie, A. & Delany, T., Nov 2025, Melbourne Vic Australia: Monash University. 26 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other Report › Research

Open Access
File

Invisible labour: Principals’ emotional labour in volatile times
Wilkinson, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Walsh, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Keddie, A. M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Longmuir, F. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Grice, C. (Chief Investigator (CI))
ARC - Australian Research Council
27/04/23 → 22/12/26
Project: Research

Dangerous Work. Surge in violence and harassment against Australian public school principals.
Wilkinson, J. & Walsh, L.
4/02/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
‘I own you’: female principals the target of chilling misogynistic, sexist violence
Wilkinson, J. & Walsh, L.
3/02/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
National study exposes alarming surge in violence against public school principals
Wilkinson, J. & Walsh, L.
3/02/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment

Cite this

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title = "Invisible Labour: Principals{\textquoteright} Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Three: The Escalation of Violence in Schools and Its Repercussions for Principals{\textquoteright} Emotional Labour",

abstract = "This report provides findings from the ARC Discovery Grant (DP230100594) research project: Invisible Labour: Principals{\textquoteright} Emotional Labour in Volatile Times. A collaboration between Monash University, Deakin University and the University of Sydney, this third report explores the Escalation of Violence in Schools and Its Repercussions for Principals{\textquoteright} Emotional Labour. The report investigates the rising violence in Australian schools and its profound impact on the emotional labour of public-school principals. Drawing on 298 critical incident testimonies from 256 public-school principals, corroborated by stakeholder interviews, case studies and a policy audit, the research reveals how principals are increasingly expected to manage physical threats, gendered violence, and systemic neglect—often without adequate support or recognition.",

keywords = "education, principals, emotional labour, health and wellbeing, public schooling, principal attraction and retention, violence, gender-based violence, principal burnout, solidarity",

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KW - health and wellbeing

KW - public schooling

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Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Three: The Escalation of Violence in Schools and Its Repercussions for Principals’ Emotional Labour

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Research output

Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Four: “Hung out to Dry”

Invisible Labour: Principals' Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report One: Technical Overview of the Project

Invisible Labour: Principals’ Emotional Labour in Volatile Times: Report Two: The Emotional Labour of the School Principal

Projects

Invisible labour: Principals’ emotional labour in volatile times

Press/Media

Dangerous Work. Surge in violence and harassment against Australian public school principals.

‘I own you’: female principals the target of chilling misogynistic, sexist violence

National study exposes alarming surge in violence against public school principals

Cite this