Strategic advisory boards – the emergence of shadow governance in universities?

​A number of universities throughout the world have established strategic advisory boards (SABs) – informal bodies and councils the institutional leadership may consult on issues perceived as important. The development of SABs is interesting in light of trends towards more governed universities with stronger vertical steering and a reduction - or even elimination - of internal advisory bodies such as university councils and senates. Through qualitative interviews with members of strategic advisory boards, and interviews with representatives of the institutions hosting them, the paper discusses the various roles of SABs in current university governance arrangements, and the implications such arrangements may have for the institutional leadership and management.