Tobias Richard
I am a doctoral student in sociology at Umeå University. My research focuses on principal turnover in Sweden, its causes, and strategies for managing it. My interest in this field stems from my own background as a teacher and principal.
Through my research, I have identified key factors influencing principal turnover. I apply this knowledge in my work as a supervisor for principals and as an instructor in the Principal Program at the Center for School Leadership Development at Umeå University. My overarching goal is to contribute to stronger and more stable leadership in Swedish schools.
Feel free to contact me to discuss my research or potential collaborations!
Publications
Articles
2025
Leadership and Policy in Schools – Factors That Make School Leaders Leave: Developing a Model of School Leader Turnover
Journal of Educational Administration – Understanding novice school leaders’ turnover intentions: the role of leadership dynamics
2024
Educational Administration Quarterly – Novice school leaders’ turnover intentions : the role of working conditions and organizational factors
Book chapters
Editorials
2023
Dagens arena – Dags att göra upp med tvångets pedagogik
Media
Articles
2025
forskning.se – Brister i arbetsmiljön får rektorer att lämna sina roller
altinget.se – Därför flyr rektorer skolorna
Skolledaren – Så påverkar etisk stress skolledare
Ystads allehanda – Alarmerande hög omsättning på skolledare
Forskning.se – Därför väljer skolledare att lämna sina jobb
Chef. – Därför lämnar många skolledare sina jobb
it-pedagogen – Därför väljer skolledare att lämna sina jobb
Newsletters / Radio
2025
Sveriges radio P4 Västerbotten (03.20)
Skolledaren 7 mars 2025
Skolportens veckobrev v 9
Nyheter från Samhällsvetenskaplig fakultet
Awards & honors
2026
Lärarpanelens favorit – Lite stöd och höga krav driver bort rektorer
The jury’s citation: ”Deficiencies in the psychosocial work environment can be a societal issue. Therefore, in the Teacher Panel, we highlight Tobias Richards’ study, in which he has examined the high turnover of school principals. The dissertation shows that this problem can be addressed through a better work environment and supportive structures for school leaders. The study is based on extensive data – 2,000 principals – which makes the results reliable.”
Talks and presentations
2025-11-07
Sveriges skolledare, Network for assistant principals – sustainable school leadership: new research findings and practical tools for your daily work.
2025-11-03
Swedish National Agency for Education – The Unit for Management and Professional Development – Sweden’s school leader turnover: A study on why new school leaders change jobs.
2025-09-26
SCHOOL LEADER TURNOVER IN SWEDEN: A study of why novice school leaders leave their jobs – Uppsala University, Institute for Educational Law
2025-09-09
Consultation with the Inquiry on Better Conditions for Principals in the School System U2024:03
2025-09-05
SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP – What we can learn from research on school leaders’ working conditions and turnover – Linköping, Linnaeus Region Network NORTH
2025-03-06
Paper presentation at The Nordic Educational Research Association, NERA Conference 2025
2024-11-08
School Leadership and Student Absenteeism: Sverigehälsan Vocational College, Malmö
2024-10-22 + 23
Alumni conference Malmö – Umeå University
2024-10-21
Research on Educational Leadership (REL): Research Presentation, Uppsala University
2024-09-11
Master’s Program in Organization & Leadership, Umeå
2024-05-20
Steering Committee, Principal Program
2024-03-19
Nordic School Leadership Congress, Gothenburg
2023-10-30
Research Presentation, South Africa
2023-09-05 + 06
Presentation of Book Chapter on Methodology
2023-02-27
Methodology Course, Master’s Program
2022-10-10
Principal Day for the Thorén Group, Åre
2022-10-03
Presentation at the National Research Network on School Governance, Organization, and Leadership (NSOL) – Digital
2022-09-07
Research Presentation – Wales, Bangor University
2022-06-09
Swedish National Agency for Education’s Day for Principal Programs, Umeå
Lectures and Teaching
2021–2024
Process Leader, Swedish National Principal Training Program – Led principal group 21:7 throughout the three-year program, teaching Law, Leadership, and Governance, Organization & Quality.
Supervision
2022–2024
Case-Based Professional Supervision – Led structured case-based small group supervision for principal group 21:7, providing emotional support and facilitating their professional decision-making and leadership development.
Reviewer – Journals
2025
Leadership and Policy in Schools
Cambridge Journal of Education
Digital content
Video
Presentation of research results from study of school leader turnover in Sweden
Podcast: Rektorn
They hold one of Sweden’s most important leadership positions.
Meet the people who wear the principal’s pin on their lapels.
Season 1
Season 2
CV
Work experience
Phd student
Umeå university | 201004-
Operations Manager
Lernia | 180105-190105
Principal
Bjuv Municipality | 160601-180104
Principal
Academedia | 140801-160531
Lead Teacher
Academedia | 120801-140731
Sports Psychologist
Own Business | 090801-140731
Education
Phd studies in sociology
Umeå university | 201004-
Principal Program
Umeå University | 2016-2018
Psychotherapy
Ersta Sköndahl University College | 2013-2015
Theoretical Philosophy
Lund University | 2012-2013
Sports Psychology
Halmstad University | 2006-2012
Teacher Education
Malmö University | 2003-2009
Contact
Email: tobias.richard@umu.se
Phone: +46 73 445 65 72
Linkedin