This article sets out to explore how academics make sense of the current transformations higher education and what kinds academic identities are thereby constructed. Based on a narrative analysis 42 interviews with Finnish academics, nine narratives discerned, each providing different answer as it means be an in present-day university. Narratives resistance, loss, administrative work overload job insecurity embedded regressive storyline, describing deterioration one's standing. In sharp...

The vast majority of studies concerning the implementation quality assurance in higher education institutions have been conducted from a national perspective, with few cross-national studies. This study aimed to explore standards Europe comparative perspective. A questionnaire based on Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance European Higher Education Area was developed compare countries. results indicate that mainly formulate their systems according or own needs. main emphasis is...

The purpose of the article is to analyse recent literature on higher education policy change. Based review, three different approaches are distinguished: structural, actor and agency. In structural approach dynamic change originates in well-established structures. focuses either individual or institutional actors as drivers agency understands an interactive process between various domains within transient We will also present two emerging, alternative approaches: actor-network theory, which...

University mergers have become a common strategy for increasing global competitiveness. In this chapter, the authors analyze implementation of in Finnish universities from perspective social justice as conceived within Finland and other Nordic countries.

This narrative study investigated identity, agency and emotions, amongst an under-researched academic group – those without PhDs with primary responsibility for teaching, who are also expected to do research. In this interview-based paper, we examine the experience of such Finnish academics in a research-intensive university. Thematic then approaches were employed. The findings demonstrated five narratives which indicated both balanced tensioned relations as regards variable perceptions...

• The performance task and selected-response questions trigger different processes. evokes holistic response self-regulatory Selected-response result in fragmented question-oriented Students' processes are intertwined. Variation self-regulation is associated with the complexity of Our aim was to explore higher education students' plus relationship between these, as evidenced two types performance-based critical thinking tasks included Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA+) International...

In Europe, national quality assurance systems of higher education have begun to be established. Finland, this development has had the consequence forcing universities take notice assessment procedures. However, little is known about procedures taking place in individual academic departments as a result pan‐European trend. This article describes how academics currently comprehend assessment, paying particular attention self‐evaluations and systems. Altogether, paper casts light on are...

Critical thinking is a multifaceted construct involving set of skills and affective dispositions together with self-regulation. The aim this study was to explore how self-regulation effort in test-taking contribute undergraduate students' performance critical assessment. data were collected 18 higher education institutions Finland. A total 2402 students at the initial final stages their bachelor degree programmes participated study. An open-ended task, namely Collegiate Learning Assessment...

Abstract The purpose of the study is to describe evaluation and quality assurance practices employed in basic units Finnish Italian universities analyse impact Bologna process on assessment. data consist interviews (n=30) conducted Finland Italy. results suggest that: (1) were primarily seen connection with educational provision university; (2) although respondents familiar evaluation, they unsure about procedures effects their unit; (3) despite harmonising aim process, appeared maintain...

<p style="margin: 0cm 10pt;"> </p><p class="RESUMENCURSIVA">As in many other European countries also Finnish higher education system has witnessed several reforms over the past decade of which originate efforts to make more competitive and affordable system. The aim this paper is describe changes institutional mergers particular that have taken place explore what kind academic identities are constructed amid education. shows followed objectives set by Ministry Education...

The main aim of this study was to explore if there is a connection between the Bologna Process and internationalization themes practices Italian academic life from an academic's point view. based on qualitative approach interview data were analyzed by content analysis. following emerged concerning life: teaching studies, student staff mobility, work career. seems have both direct indirect consequences for internationalization. international teacher exchanges become easier but at same time...

Two specific forms of quality are identified: Type I, which has a managerial focus and stresses fitness for purpose accountability, II, is collegial concerned with enhancement. Through an analysis the literature on in higher education small-scale empirical research sample academic staff, this article compares conceptions assurance English Finnish systems. The authors highlight similarities differences two countries possible reasons them. Over time blend approaches to come favour former but...

The aim of this study was to investigate the conceptions teachership among graduates (n = 126) from a Finnish higher education programme called Pedagogical Studies for Adult Educators. comprise notions teaching and oneself as teacher. Accordingly, are viewed one element in process constructing teacher identity. Currently, we have little knowledge about professional identity construction adult educators, even though there is growing need pedagogics changing life. Based on qualitative thematic...

JANI URSIN Finnish Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland BARBARA ZAMORSKI Centre Applied Education and the Staff Development, East Anglia, United Kingdom ELINOR EDVARDSSON STIWNE Department Behaviourial Sciences Learning, Linkoping University, Sweden CHRISTINE TEELKEN Organisation Science, Faculty Social Sciences, VU Amsterdam, The Netherlands MONNE WIHLBORG Health Lund