Preliminary Material / Martina Vukasović , Peter Maassen , Monika Nerland , Bjørn Stensaker , Rómulo Pinheiro and Agnete Vabø -- Change Dynamics and Higher Education Reforms / Peter Maassen , Monika Nerland , Rómulo Pinheiro , Bjørn Stensaker , Agnete Vabø and Martina Vukasović -- Signs of Reengagement? / Marina Andreu Elias , Josep Maria Masjuan and Albert Gelabert Sanchez -- Cultures of Doctoral Education in Germany / Marc Kaulisch and Kalle Hauss -- Researching the Current Dynamics of Professional Expertise / Torill Strand and Karen Jensen -- Transformation Through Layering(s)? / Meng-Hsuan Chou -- How Europe Impacts on Academic Research / Emilia Primeri and Emanuela Reale -- Higher Education Reform During and After Armed Conflict / Akiiki Babyesiza -- Higher Education and Economic Development in Africa / Nico Cloete -- Student Financial aid in the United States / Ray Franke and William Purdy -- Towards a European Quality Assurance System / Tina Hedmo -- Frameworks, Effects and Significance of Research Assessment in the Italian University System / Gianfranco Rebora and Matteo Turri -- The Transformation of the Academic Profession / Elke Park -- Beyond Physical Mobility: Other ways to Internationalise the Academic Profession / Michele Rostan -- Gender gaps in North American Research Productivity / Laura Elena Padilla-González , Amy Scott Metcalfe , Jesús Francisco Galaz-Fontes , Donald Fisher and Iain S. Snee -- Personal Characteristics, Career Trajectories and Sense of Identity Among Male and Female Academics in Norway and Portugal / Rui Santiago , Teresa Carvalho and Agnete Vabø -- Author Biographies / Martina Vukasović , Peter Maassen , Monika Nerland , Bjørn Stensaker , Rómulo Pinheiro and Agnete Vabø.

Higher education is in transition. On the one hand, over the last decades it has become politically and economically more important and thus also an object of reforms. On the other hand, higher education has become less special and is no longer able to justify its unique governance arrangements. This volume presents a collection of contributions that go beyond reform agendas as such and focus on the effects of reforms at all relevant levels in higher education systems. It is organised in four themes—education, research, governance, and academic profession—with a variety of levels of analysis, theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches and geographical foci. The topics in focus include the possible impact of latest national and European initiatives, changes in the primary processes (education and research) on the levels of institutions, professions and for individuals as well as higher education dynamics in contexts often overlooked in the literature (e. g. Africa). The aim is to ‘take stock’ of the growing knowledge basis with respect to higher education with a special focus on the influence of reforms on the key aspects of higher education.

Description based on print version record.