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This book interrogates the role games and playfulness bear in both formal education and informal social learning. Responsive to contemporary social and ecological challenges, this book especially explores games'interactions with social power. On one hand, games sometimes operate to reinforce ideologies that normalise social injustice and environmental disregard. On the other, games offer rich possibilities for questioning such ideologies and encouraging change.Strongly interdisciplinary, the book assembles 20 chapters written by 50 experts across fields including education, game design, cultural studies, sociology, Indigenous studies, disability studies, queer studies, STEM, legal studies, history, creative writing, visual arts, music, the creative industries, and social inclusion. These contributions not only make games a focus but incorporate playful research writing strategies, demonstrating methods of what we term ludic inquiry. This includes chapters written using arts-based research, practice-led research, poetic inquiry, narrative inquiry, autoethnography, duoethnography, and more. Organised across four themes – ‘philosophical sparks', ‘lived experiences', ‘pedagogical perspectives', and ‘the spirit of play'– this book emphasises the radical egalitarian possibilities inherent in critical attention to games and how we play (or get played by) them. Its fresh insights will interest all readers interested in creatively remaking our worlds.

The contributors to this volume – educators, student affairs practitioners, and higher education staff – heartfully share a broad range of contemplative practices and acts of resistance used within the confines of shattered systems and institutions for themselves, their colleagues, and their students. The narratives in this volume broadly imagine, inspire, recount, and guide readers toward the fullness of their humanity and wholeness within institutions of higher education. At the same time, these accounts navigate the operational realities of daunting demands on the mind, body, and spirit, the growing turbulence of working on higher education campuses across the country, and a sense of urgency toward collective life affirmation within modern higher education institutions. Each chapter features critical framing of a concept, personal stories of this concept in action, and descriptions of contemplative practices for readers to use in their own contexts. Together, chapter authors demonstrate what it means to be a contemplative practitioner attentive to issues of power, racism, and marginalization in higher education today. With a deep breath and mindful awareness, this book invites faculty and staff at colleges and universities on a transformational journey with the contributors toward fullness in pursuit of becoming whole and inspiring change.

This book theorises the public university as a real utopia, drawing upon the work of the American sociologist Erik Olin Wright. The book explores institutional democracy, academic freedom and the curriculum as the real utopian'constituents'of the public university. In doing so, the author puts forward an argument for the redevelopment of public universities, seeking to do justice to both a radical vision and practical feasibility. This imaginative reconstruction of the university advances debate in the sociology and philosophy of higher education.

Drawing from original research and recent developments in theory, Researching Social Inequalities in Higher Education brings together insights from multiple national contexts and phases to consider a diverse range of equity issues in higher education.Authored by current and recently graduated PhD students, chapters examine the socioeconomic, ethnic and gender equalities at play within each of the following components:• access to higher education• the student experience• the academic workforceAn essential read for anyone researching higher education, or wishing to address social inequalities within higher education, this volume unpacks how higher education is becoming more accessible, inclusive and beneficial to an increasingly diverse population of students and staff.

This timely book addresses assumptions and challenges inherent within community engagement as a catalyst for developing students'sense of civic responsibility at a time of rampant social polarization.Promoting academic development and life skills through the high-impact practice of service-learning, the book explores a new ecological framework for reflecting on and improving practice. This book describes new models such as the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, offers advice on coalition building, and presents the narratives of community-engaged professionals and faculty, offering a sense both of tensions inherent in this work and examples of initiatives in local contexts. Chapters primarily reflect on what action is required for fulfilling our public purpose and what's holding us back.This book provides guidance, examples, and benchmarks for best practices in community engagement that are particularly relevant to this time of crises and unrest and will be relevant to community-engaged professionals, higher education faculty, and college administrators.

In a global context of growing inequality and socio-environmental crises, Equity in Higher Education considers the issues and challenges for progressing an equity agenda.It advances a unique multidimensional framework based on theoretical and conceptual threads, including critical, feminist, decolonial, post-structural, and sociological discourses. It also provides readers with the sophisticated insights and tools urgently needed to challenge long-standing, entrenched, and insidious inequalities at play in and through higher education.Written as a form of a pedagogical interaction, and addressing nuanced temporal and spatial inequalities, this key resource will be of value to policymakers, practitioners, educators, and scholars committed to progressive and groundbreaking approaches that can engage the ongoing challenges of transforming higher education towards more just realities.

Offering readers an insightful exploration of the challenges faced by leaders in higher education as they navigate the complexities of promoting social justice and caring for minoritized populations, this book delves into their untold stories to reveal the triumphs and struggles of these influential individuals.By unveiling the undercurrents of higher education and the hidden dynamics at play, Race, Class, Gender, and the Struggle for Social Justice in Higher Education details the battle for social justice and the experiences of leadership elites, serving as an invaluable resource for anyone passionate about the intersection of leadership, social justice, and the imperative to create inclusive environments in higher education, shedding light on leaders'motivations, behaviors, and barriers in advancing social justice on college campuses.This book will be relevant to instructors and students in higher education, leadership, and sociology courses, offering insights into the challenges faced by leadership elites in promoting social justice and supporting marginalized populations.

How can we tackle racism and sexism on our college and university campuses? What is the role of education leaders in advancing social justice? Reframing Diversity and Inclusive Leadership addresses the urgent need for more than merely performative gestures toward—and a redoubled, authentically engaged investment in—diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Seth N. Asumah and Mechthild Nagel examine how traditional leadership models have tended to exacerbate racial and gender inequities in United States higher education and society at large. Using a cross-cultural, comparative approach indebted to critical race theory, critical whiteness studies, and Black feminism, Asumah and Nagel draw on decades of combined experience in the US and globally to provide a framework for inclusive leadership practices, actions, and policies. A valuable resource for administrators, faculty, students, and political and industry leaders, Reframing Diversity and Inclusive Leadership responds to calls for justice on campuses and beyond.

Drawing from a diverse range of expert voices within the field, this key work explores how communities of practice are an effective tool for supporting successful collaboration, whilst also creating the foundations for lasting institutional change.By examining communities of practice through a variety of critical lenses, this book encourages readers to consider how strategies may be applied within their own institutions to support feelings of belonging, encourage teamwork, and inspire learning. Supported by both practical case studies and current research, contributors suggest strategies that readers can use to create their own effective communities of practice. Chapters explore topics including: Communities as a method of regeneration within universities Cultivation of knowledge through community collaboration Questions of power in transdisciplinary communities Mapping career pathways through communities of practice Bringing together theory and practice, this is an essential resource for all involved in strategic planning, organisational development, and fostering a positive organisational culture within higher education.

The academic experiences and emotions shared in these chapters can be described as thoughtful, courageous, insightful, and worrisome. Collectively, authors draw a troubled higher education landscape that has evolved over the years from, to put it mildly, a “more pleasant” working environment in more generous times, to a less pleasant working environment in today's more restrictive, more competitive, and more financially difficult times. However, on a positive note, contributing authors share their understanding of the core purpose of the higher education institution and its mission as purveyors of that purpose through adherence to the university's stated triad of goals: teaching, research, and service.

Le livre Une approche d'équité sociopédagogique sensible à l'EDI (équité, diversité, inclusion) pour intéresser les filles et les garçons à s'orienter en STIM (sciences, technologies, ingénierie, mathématiques) vise à favoriser des carrières en STIM pour trois raisons : 1) La société actuelle a besoin de scientifiques, plus que jamais, avec la pandémie de COVID-19 et peut-être d'autres qui pourront advenir, mais aussi avec les progrès en intelligence artificielle et toutes les questions qui se posent en ce domaine ; 2) Les filles comme les garçons ne forment pas des groupes homogènes. Toutes les réflexions sur l'intersectionnalité font penser qu'autant dans le groupe des filles que dans celui des garçons, il y a des discriminations qui diffèrent d'une fille à l'autre ou d'un garçon à l'autre selon l'apparence, la situation socioéconomique, l'orientation sexuelle, les croyances religieuses, les expériences passées dans les domaines des STIM, etc. ; 3) Les réflexions actuelles à propos de l'élaboration de programmes EDI (équité, diversité, inclusion) mènent à élargir le débat et les réflexions collectives. Néanmoins, la situation des filles dans différents domaines des STIM est préoccupante, et il importe de ne pas l'oublier et d'en tenir compte. Dans la classe, il est possible d'y arriver, sans nécessairement dire que ce sont des filles qui sont particulièrement visées, mais en pensant à elles en sachant que des garçons seront aussi rejoints par les propositions. Cinq grandes parties sont proposées dans ce livre : 1) La prise en compte de la dimension affective en STIM ; 2) La prise en compte des dimensions cognitive et métacognitive dans les domaines des STIM ; 3) Un thème récurrent associé à l'utilité de ces différents domaines ; 4) Une pratique réflexive-interactive pour mettre en place des changements ; 5) De courts textes pour former et s'autoformer. Quelques expérimentations ont été réalisées ; elles sont résumées avec des commentaires.

This book includes an accompanying Online Learning Centre. The link can be found within the preliminary pages of the book.“This book will undoubtedly become a must read for every PhD student.”Dr Steven McCabe, Associate Professor, Birmingham City University, UK“A great addition to any supervisor or student's bookshelf'Professor Inger Mewburn, Director of researcher development, Australian National University, Australia“The PhD Handbook is an essential read to make this journey easier and more structured”Prof Dr Carsten P Welsch, Head of Physics Department, University of Liverpool, UK“The PhD Handbook is a vital companion to PhD studies in any discipline.'Colin G. Johnson, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham, and co-author of How to Get a PhDBased on the authors successful training courses run around the world for thousands of PhD students, and drawing on personal experiences of completing their own doctoral degrees, this book offers tried and tested approaches to help students at all stages meet the demands of a PhD.Full of practical and highly applicable tools, techniques, activities and templates, The PhD Handbook looks beyond research challenges to provide an accessibly written step-by-step guide to the wider project management and personal effectiveness skills needed throughout your journey toward a successful and timely qualification. Each chapter focuses on the most common issues PhD students encounter, including how to:• Create a useful plan when you don't know what you're doing• Actively shape a positive supervision partnership• Stop worrying and start working• Get the most out of every day• Get going again if you get stuck• Bounce back when things go wrong• Use your PhD as the launchpad for your future careerAs well as helping you make the most of the doctoral experience, the book also provides a toolbox of transferable skills that you will find useful in setting yourself up for a successful career beyond your degree.Dr Rosie Doyle is a highly respected trainer and coach, with a career of more than 25 years specialising in personal effectiveness, teamworking and leadership. She works in the UK and Europe with clients in the university, space industry, arts and charity sectors. She completed her PhD in 2009 at the University of St Andrews, UK. Dr Fraser Robertson is an internationally acclaimed trainer, consultant and speaker. A project manager in the industry for over 20 years, he established Fistral Training in 2008 and specialises in supporting researchers around the globe from PhDs and PostDocs, to PIs and the Professoriate. He completed his doctoral degree at Edinburgh Napier University, UK in 2015.

Writing is a central part of the life of a scholar-academic. The writing that makes it into public spaces, however, is but a glimpse of the writing we do and might find meaningful. This edited volume is an attempt to collect writing that often remains hidden in academia – the email exchange with a student or colleagues, the writing that grapples with our loneliness, rage, and failures – and yet provide crucial insight into the ugly realities of global politics and the work that gets done on it (or not) in the neoliberal, extractive university.

This open access book, now in its second edition, offers a comprehensive overview of the experiences of First in Family (FiF) or first-generation students in higher education. It draws upon narratives of students and their family members and spans the entire university student life cycle (pre-entry, commencement, progression and graduation) with a focus on specific cohorts including mature-aged students, parents or carers, as well as the differentiated experiences of male and female learners. With research drawn from three major research projects and including over 650 FiF students from across all Australian states and territories, as well as Europe, this wealth of perspectives provides unique insights into the lived reality of attending university in contemporary higher education settings. The book is written for a broad audience and will appeal to those working in universities, as well as family members and students who may be contemplating participating in higher education.

This book explores how in a rapidly shifting world, higher education has found itself at the crux of socio-economic, demographic, and technological transformations. This book dives deep into this evolving landscape, navigating the vast complexities of global higher education and its cultural implications.From demographic challenges and economic pressures to the game-changing implications of Artificial Intelligence, this book paints a holistic picture, highlighting the intersections and potential futures of academia. Equipped with meticulous research, global case studies, and enlightening expert opinions, this book offers a rich tapestry of insights that cater to a diverse array of readers. As universities grapple with uncertainties, this book emerges as a compass, offering actionable insights, strategies, and foresight into the transformative potential of various factors. It's not just a diagnosis of the current state but also a prescription for the road ahead. This book distinguishes itself as a unique and essential discourse in the realm of educational literature, presenting a rich, multidimensional analysis of the crossroads at which higher education currently stands. This book is not just an academic treatise; it is a clarion call to action, urging universities, policymakers, educators, and students to engage deeply with the transformative challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.This book is tailored for a broad spectrum of readers including Higher education policymakers, university administrators, and educators will find it particularly invaluable. Yet, its accessible language and engaging narratives also appeal to students, and anyone curious about the trajectory of higher education in our rapidly changing world.

In an era of rapid change and increasing societal demands, the role of universities as knowledge producers and catalysts for change has come under scrutiny. This open access book offers a fresh perspective on the significance of universities in society, shedding light on how their knowledge can truly matter beyond academia. Drawing upon insightful inquiries from both the Swedish and international contexts, this volume delves into the multifaceted interactions between universities and various knowledge users, emphasizing the need for scholars to reflect on how their knowledge can become useful and applicable to wider society. Organized into three compelling themes, collaboration, engagement, and impact, this book explores the concept of'mattering'. Together and jointly, they point at the fluid movement of scholars and scholarly knowledge across academic, political, and public spaces, and the intentional actions of scientists to leverage their expertise for real-worldimpact. Essential reading for social science and humanities scholars, university management professionals, and individuals keen on a critical understanding of the evolving role of universities, this volume offers a comprehensive examination of how universities have mattered, continue to matter, and can shape the future.

Each year, millions of high school students consider whether to continue their schooling and attend and complete college. Despite evidence showing that a college degree yields far-reaching benefits, critics of higher education increasingly argue that college “does not pay off” and some students - namely, disadvantaged prospective college goers - would be better served by forgoing higher education. But debates about the value of college often fail to carefully consider what is required to speak knowledgeably about the benefits –what a person's life might look like had they not completed college, or their college counterfactual. In Overcoming the Odds sociologist Jennie E. Brand reveals the benefits of completing college by comparing life outcomes of college graduates with their college counterfactuals. Drawing on two cohorts of nationally representative data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Longitudinal Surveys program, Brand uses matching and machine learning methods to estimate the effects of college completion across students with varying likelihoods of completing four-year degrees. To illustrate her findings, Brand describes outcomes using matched vignettes of college and non-college graduates. Brand shows that four-year college completion enables graduates to increase wages and household income, while also circumventing unemployment, low-wage work, job instability, poverty, and social assistance. Completing college also increases civic engagement. Most of these benefits are larger for disadvantaged than for more advantaged students, rendering arguments that college has limited benefits for unlikely graduates as flawed. Brand concludes that greater long-term earnings, and less job instability and unemployment, and thus more tax revenue, less reliance on public assistance, and high levels of volunteering indicate that public investment in higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds yields far-reaching collective benefits. She asserts that it is better for our society when more people complete college. Overcoming the Odds is an innovative and enlightening exploration of how college can transform lives.

This book explains why society is still enamoured with education, allowing others to tell us what is important. At a time when innovation and creativity are ever more significant, we, as a society, should question past approaches. The text outlines the value of a learning-focused tactic, explaining how it differs from education, and its overall value to individual growth. A key message is that higher education institutions can adapt to a learning environment, an insight that is applicable to a broader spectrum.

Providing coherence in understanding the role that education and higher education played in the colonizing purposes of the rich nations of the North, this book draws from multiple geopolitical spaces across the world to consider how epistemic injustice has characterized colonial higher education systems. Within this text, carefully chosen international contributors explore how colonialism, coloniality, and colonization have impacted indigenous people's ways of knowing, feeling, behaving, valuing, being, and becoming in fundamental ways and how the West's idea of education and schooling have been used as key instruments in the project of world domination and subjugation. Beyond these key entry concepts, chapters use ideas of modernity, post-modernism, globalization, internationalization, and neo-liberalism to examine how higher education in colonial and post-colonial societies still answers to a colonial narrative and what can be done to decolonize the system.Unpacking the historical and philosophical antecedents of higher education and critically examining the intentions and impact of colonial assumptions behind higher education in different parts of the world, this is suitable reading for postgraduates and scholars in the field of higher education, as well as senior management teams in universities and practitioners who work directly in the field of transformation in government, and university departments.

Providing an extraordinary picture of the inner workings of elite universities, Elite Universities and the Making of Privilege draws on current debates on education and inequality and considers the relevance of universities'global brand identities.Using the work of Bourdieu and critical race theory to explore how identity, experience and family background affects how people navigate the social space of the university, this book is underpinned with empirical research that considers different social, economic and educational contexts. Using interview accounts of graduate students, this book highlights ambiguities in how eliteness works as both a recognisable marker of institutional status and a marker that is rarely quantified or defined.Combining intellectually rigorous, accessible and controversial chapters, Elite Universities and the Making of Privilege is crucial reading for anyone looking to understand how race and class affect those navigating elite universities.

Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) establecidos en 2015 por la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas pone de relieve en su objetivo cuatro la importancia de garantizar una educación inclusiva, equitativa y de calidad y promover oportunidades de aprendizaje durante toda la vida. Para ello, la escuela es un espacio idóneo en donde aprender a través de metodologías innovadoras para un aprendizaje significativo.Uno de los retos que se pretenden con este libro es el de aportar claves fundamentales que ayuden a prevenir distintas situaciones negativas o conflictivas en grupos de población vulnerable, destacando el papel crucial que tienen las escuelas para anticiparse y educar en pro de una sociedad más justa e igualitaria.

This book uses the overlapping approaches of political care ethics and feminist posthumanism as a lens to focus on the notions of privileged irresponsibility, responsibility and response-ability within the context of higher education and as it pertains to the issues of colonialism/decolonisation, pandemics and the climate crisis. The book will appeal to scholars in the field of higher education as well as to those in several other fields, such as ecology, gender studies, sociology, philosophy, and political science.