Special Issue of HERD - 31.5 (October 2012)

The Development of Higher Education Research as a Field

Editors:
Dr Bruce Macfarlane, The University of Hong Kong Dr Barbara Grant, The University of Auckland

Higher education research emerged around the globe as an interdisciplinary academic field during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The field’s intellectual and epistemic boundaries are fluid, inviting an exploration of the intellectual and professional/academic backgrounds and career histories of researchers in the field. To date, there has been relatively little empirical or conceptual analysis of the history of the development of higher education research. Two notable exceptions are Malcolm Tight’s organizing framework that identifies the principal areas of academic research and associated patterns of activity and Tamsin Haggis’ critical, historical analysis of articles published in three key journals. There is yet a need for more conceptual and empirical analysis that maps the broader social, cultural, political and historical forces that have shaped higher education studies.

In wanting this special issue of HERD to exemplify and analyse how the field of higher education research has developed, they are interested in conceptual and empirical analyses, critical reflections and case studies that add to what is already known about the topic. Articles for consideration should follow the normal guidelines for submission to Higher Education Research & Development.

Dates to Note:
Manuscript submission due: 30 November 2011

Anticipated Publication: late September 2012

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. A guide for authors along with other relevant information can be found on journal’s homepage: www.tandf.co.uk/journals/HERD

Submissions should be made online at HERD’s ScholarOne site: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cher