Dr. Ärlestig is an associate professor in education at the Centre for Principal Development, Umeå University. Her research interest concerns organizational communication, pedagogical leadership and the principal’s role and work. She is involved in several international comparative studies about principals’ leadership, for example the International Successful School Principal Project (ISSPP) and International School Leadership Development Network (ISLDN). She has a background as a principal in compulsory schools.
Dr. Ärlestig was the link convener for network 26 Educational Leadership in the European Educational Research Association EERA from 2012 until 2016. Under her care, the network grew considerably in terms of size, scope and connectivity.