Organizing Academic Work in Higher Education

University Governance and Academic Research

Case Studies of Research Units in Dutch and English Universities

Liudvika Leišytė

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The Widening Participation Agenda in German Higher Education: Discourses and Legitimizing Strategies

Liudvika Leišytė, Julia Mergner, Elke Bosse

Abstract: Although participation in higher education (HE) has expanded in Europe, social inequalities remain a major political challenge. As HE expansion has not led to equal access and success, the mechanisms behind policies seeking to reduce inequalities need to be examined. Focusing on the widening participation agenda, this article investigates how universities translate political demands to their local contexts. The translation perspective is adopted to study the German HE system as an example characterized by high social exclusion. Based on policy document analysis, the study first explores the rationales underlying the discourse on widening participation. Second, a multiple case study design is used to investigate the organizational responses to the demand of widening participation. The findings indicate that the political discourse is dominated by two perspectives that regard widening participation as either a means to bring about social justice or to ensure a reliable pool of skille

Inclusive Universities in a Globalized World

Liudvika Leišytė, Rosemary Deem, Charikleia Tzanakou

Abstract: This thematic issue of Social Inclusion focuses on universities as inclusive organisations in a variety of different countries and higher education (HE) systems. It explores how these institutions aim, succeed or fail to become inclusive organisations, what policies and processes help achieve these goals and how academics and students can become agents of change through inclusive teaching and research cultures. The contributions in this thematic issue point to the multi-level as well as multi-faceted challenges and characteristics of inclusion in HE in general and in universities in particular, based on both student and academic points of view. They offer innovative conceptual ways of thinking as well as measuring inclusion. Further, they point out the importance of context in understanding the challenges of achieving equality and inclusion in universities through country-specific as well as cross-country comparisons of various aspects of diversity and inclusivity. We hope this the