Abstract
This study aims to examine pre-service teachers’ perceptions of the use of digital tech-nologies in promoting creative leadership within higher education for sustainability. A case study design was employed, and data were collected from pre-service teachers studying at Manisa Celal Bayar University through semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Participants conceptualized creative leadership as an innovation-oriented and collaborative process characterized by developing innovative approaches, integrating diverse ideas, maximizing team potential, and adapting to change. Digital technologies were perceived as facilitating communication, improving access to information, supporting evidence-based decision-making, strengthening team management, and enabling the implementation of innovative ideas. However, participants also identified several barriers to the effective use of digital technologies, including technological inadequacies, insufficient infrastructure, inappropriate technology use, and resistance to change. To strengthen creative leadership in higher education, participants emphasized the importance of expanding professional development activities, increasing technology-based projects, improving technological infra-structure, promoting digital literacy, and establishing interdisciplinary learning environments. The findings suggest that pre-service teachers perceive digital technologies as strategic tools that support, rather than define, creative leadership.