University rankings have gained popularity around the world and are now a significant factor shaping reputation. This second edition updates Ellen Hazelkorn's first comprehensive study of rankings from a global perspective, drawing in new original research and extensive analysis. It is essential reading for policymakers, managers and scholars.

The role, scale and expectations of higher education institutions have changed dramatically in recent times as knowledge-intensity has become a key determinant of economic competitiveness. Higher education institutions face increasing pressure to demonstrate their fitness to meet the needs of society and individuals. Questions about the quality, performance and productivity of higher education are central to these concerns, of relevance to society, governments and students. This Handbook brings together a group of international scholars to address these issues and propose how to move beyond them. This Handbook is the first comprehensive reference, laying out current research in the field, and bringing it up-to-date with cutting-edge theoretical and empirical contributions from leading international experts. Blending new research with richly contextualised national and regional examples, the authors give authoritative insights from around the globe on how best to understand, assess and improve quality, performance and accountability in higher education. This Handbook will become an invaluable tool for practitioners in higher education and education policy-making as well as researchers and students of social science and public policy. Contributors include: K.S. Adeyemo, K. Aleksandriyskaya, A. Amaral, S. Archer, I. Austin, E. Bell, P. Benneworth, C. Blanco, V. Borden, R. Bringle, R. Brown, H. Coates, G. Croucher, D. Dill, M. Dobbins, D. Edwards, A. Fryar, S. Fukahori, A. Gibson, F. Guo, M. Hanlon, L. Harvey, E. Hazelkorn, M. Hicks, N. Hillman, A.Y.-c.Hou, F. Huang, J. Huisman, Y. Ibrahim, R. Ismail, N. Jankowski, E. Jerez, G. Jones, B. Jongbloed, J. Jungblut, P. Kelly, R. King, K. Kinser, M. Klemencic, G. Kuh, J. Lane, L. Lange, M.C. Lennon, S.E. Lid, N.C. Liu, Y. Luo, M. Mahat, J. Marino, M. Martin, W.F Massy, A.C. McCormick, K. Moore, S. Moyo, P. Noonan, D. Orr, R. Shavelson, J. Shi, O.-J. Skodvin, B. Stensaker, F. Strydom, P. Teixeira, R. Tijssen, O. Troitschanskaia, A. Usher, F. van Vught, N.V. Varghese, H. Vossensteyn, M. Vukasovic, R. Wagenaar, C.D. Wan, E. Weber, H.P. Weingarten, W. Wen, D. Westerheijden, R. Williams, T. Yang, N. Zeeman, L. Zhang

Global rankings and the Geopolitics of Higher Education is an examination of the impact and influence that university rankings have had on higher education, policy and public opinion in recent years. Bringing together some of the most informed authorities on this very complex issue, this edited collection of specially commissioned chapters examines the changes affecting higher education and the implications for society and the economy. Split into four interrelated sections, this book covers: The development of rankings in higher education, how they have impacted upon both the production of knowledge and its geography, and their influence in shaping policymaking. Overviews of the significance of rankings for higher education systems in Europe, Asia, Africa, Russia, South America, India and North America. An analysis of rankings in relation to key concerns that pervade contemporary higher education. Examination of the role rankings are likely to play in the future directions for higher education. This is a significant scholarly work that analyses in depth an important development in higher education systems, and which is likely to have an important influence upon how we understand the higher education policy-making process - past, present and future. It provides new analysis and conceptual understanding for researchers, and firm evidence for policy makers to use when addressing the value of rankings in measuring the quality of their institutions. Besides bringing together a powerful cast of academics, this book incorporates contributions from heads of important international higher education organisations - from both those involved in making and also in administering key decisions. This timely, reflective and accessible book forms crucial reading for those studying the subject of rankings, as well as the broader implications and unintended consequences of rankings on national higher education policies. Extending beyond academic researchers and students, this book will also be of significant interest to policymakers, higher education leaders and key stakeholders.

Global rankings and the Geopolitics of Higher Education is an examination of the impact and influence that university rankings have had on higher education, policy and public opinion in recent years. Bringing together some of the most informed authorities on this very complex issue, this edited collection of specially commissioned chapters examines the changes affecting higher education and the implications for society and the economy. Split into four interrelated sections, this book covers: The development of rankings in higher education, how they have impacted upon both the production of knowledge and its geography, and their influence in shaping policymaking. Overviews of the significance of rankings for higher education systems in Europe, Asia, Africa, Russia, South America, India and North America. An analysis of rankings in relation to key concerns that pervade contemporary higher education. Examination of the role rankings are likely to play in the future directions for higher education. This is a significant scholarly work that analyses in depth an important development in higher education systems, and which is likely to have an important influence upon how we understand the higher education policy-making process - past, present and future. It provides new analysis and conceptual understanding for researchers, and firm evidence for policy makers to use when addressing the value of rankings in measuring the quality of their institutions. Besides bringing together a powerful cast of academics, this book incorporates contributions from heads of important international higher education organisations - from both those involved in making and also in administering key decisions. This timely, reflective and accessible book forms crucial reading for those studying the subject of rankings, as well as the broader implications and unintended consequences of rankings on national higher education policies. Extending beyond academic researchers and students, this book will also be of significant interest to policymakers, higher education leaders and key stakeholders.

University rankings have gained popularity around the world and are now a significant factor shaping reputation. This second edition updates Ellen Hazelkorn's first comprehensive study of rankings from a global perspective, drawing in new original research and extensive analysis. It is essential reading for policymakers, managers and scholars.

Drawing on original international research by a cross-European social science team, this book makes an important contribution to the discussion about the future of arts and humanities research. It explores the responses of these fields to the growing range of questions being asked about the value, impact and benefit of publicly-funded research. The objective is to better understand what really matters rather than what is easily measured. The book increases our understanding of the contribution which university-based arts and humanities research makes to society and the economy by exploring how it is defined, appreciated and accounted for by researchers, policymakers and civil society. It identifies appropriate practices and methodologies to assess and demonstrate quality and value beyond the academy. The book will be essential reading for researchers and policymakers, as well as research organisations and anyone interested in the arts and humanities.