The Development of Higher Education Research in Europe

Though the book is a contribution to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Consortium of Higher Education Researchers (CHER), it is not just about the history of the organisation as such. The contributions provide an account of the emergence of higher education as a field of study and research in Europe, its institutionalisation, and its relationships to higher education policy and practice. Furthermore, higher education research in Europe is contrasted to and contextualised by the example of higher education research and scholarship in Australia. The book is useful as an account about the emergence and development of higher education research as a field of study and research in Europe. It will be an interesting and insightful read for all scholars and young researchers wanting to know about higher education research but also for scholars in fields like history of science, disciplinary differentiation, institutionalisation of fields of knowledge and research.

Though the book is a contribution to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Consortium of Higher Education Researchers (CHER), it is not just about the history of the organisation as such. The contributions provide an account of the emergence of higher education as a field of study and research in Europe, its institutionalisation, and its relationships to higher education policy and practice. Furthermore, higher education research in Europe is contrasted to and contextualised by the example of higher education research and scholarship in Australia. The book is useful as an account about the emergence and development of higher education research as a field of study and research in Europe. It will be an interesting and insightful read for all scholars and young researchers wanting to know about higher education research but also for scholars in fields like history of science, disciplinary differentiation, institutionalisation of fields of knowledge and research.

1. Introduction; 2. The Initial Objectives of CHER to Form a Professional Organisation of Higher Education Researchers; 3. Organisational Strategy and the Profile of CHER Members; 4. CHER Annual Conferences and Changing Topics; 5. Higher Education Research between Policy and Practice; 6. The European Higher Education Advanced Training Course; 7. Higher Education Management Programmes in Europe: From Grassroots to Sustainable Development and Impact; 8. Australian Based Research in Higher Education Studies; 9. Reflecting about Current Trends in Higher Education Research: A View from the Journals; Appendix 1 CHER Constitution; Appendix 2 CHER Conferences and Publications of Results; Appendix 3 CHER Membership Form; Appendix 4 CHER Chairpersons and Secretaries.