posted on 2023-06-07, 21:33authored byLouise Morley
This book examines the power relationships that organize and facilitate quality assurance in higher education. It investigates power in terms of macro systems of accountability, surveillance and regulation, and uncovers the ways in which quality is experienced by academics and managers in higher education. Louise Morley reveals some of the hidden transcripts behind quality assurance and poses significant questions: what signs of quality in higher education are being performed and valued? What losses, gains, fears and anxieties are activated by the procedures? and Is the culture of excellence resulting in mediocrity? "Quality and Power in Higher Education" covers a wide range of issues including: the policy contexts, new managerialism, the costs of quality assurance, collegiality, peer review, gender and equity implications, occupational stress, commodification and consumer values in higher education, performance, league tables, benchmarking, increasing workloads and the long-term effects on the academy. It draws upon Morley's empirical work in the UK on international studies and on literature from sociology, higher education studies, organization studies and feminist theory. It is important reading for students and scholars of higher education policy and practice, and for university managers and policy-makers.
History
Publication status
Published
Publisher
Open University Press
Pages
208.0
Place of publication
Maidenhead
ISBN
9780335212279
Series
The Society for Research into Higher Education
Department affiliated with
Education Publications
Notes
This book was refereed by members of the international academic community e.g. Rosemary Deem, Alison MacKinnon. It was the first qualitative study of the sociology of quality in higher education in the UK and has had significant international impact. It has been translated into several languages including Chinese. It is widely cited and has high sales. It has also been positively reviewed in academic journals. Several keynote addresses have resulted from the book e.g. SRHE Annual Conference 2004; Annual Learning Development Forum at Middlesex University, February, 2006; the 3rd International Seminar on Equity and Diversity in Higher Education, St Petersburg State University, Russia, July 2005; the European Union Network invitational seminar on Higher Education Reform, University of Krakow, Poland, July 2003.