Desirable and realistic futures of the university: A mixed-methods study with teachers in Denmark

Magda Pischetola*, Maria Hvid Stenalt, Liv Nøhr, Danielle Hagood, Morten Misfeldt

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

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Abstract

In this paper, we put in dialogue the local dimension of a nation-state with the global challenges faced by universities worldwide. We focus on the case of Denmark, a nation that was exceptionally active in implementing international university reforms and where digitalisation is a high priority of the public sector governance. The article seeks to contribute to speculative research and critical studies by presenting a mixed- methods study that explores higher education teachers’ views about desirable and real- istic future scenarios in Denmark. The study draws on data from a survey applied at a large Danish university, analysed both quantitatively (N = 755) and qualitatively (N = 53). The findings show that teachers share clusters of concern about uncontrolled digitalisation and teaching automation, commodification of education, and modu- larisation of university courses, the latter being a contested but realistic perspective in the latest political reforms. They reaffirm the mission of the university as preparing students for solving real problems and contributing to the challenges of the present time. The paper concludes with a call for university management to recalibrate future imaginaries to the values expressed by the teachers, and the university they wish to create.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftInternational Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education
Vol/bind21
Udgave nummer29
Antal sider24
ISSN2365-9440
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

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