Universities in Times of Crisis and Disruption: Dislocated Complexity

This book examines the role and future of universities in times of chronic disruption and crisis – presented via an original conceptual framework which the authors term ‘Dislocated Complexity’ – and discusses how to move forward in the face of severely disrupted social, political, economic and environment contexts.

Demonstrating how global crises, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, have dramatically dislocated and disrupted all contexts of society, the authors use this framework of Dislocated Complexity to propose a set of characteristics and values that underpin roles for universities, considering the future of universities with regards to teaching and learning, research, management and leadership, workforce change, policymaking and engagement. Novel, innovative concepts and theoretical perspectives are brought to the analysis of futures, roles and activities of universities by the authors, such as ‘Unscripted Agency’, ‘Clashing -ologies’, ‘Emanant Trust’ and ‘Dislocated Complexity Leadership Theory’.

Ultimately calling for a rethink of university futures, this timely book will be of great interest to academics, researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of higher education research and teaching and learning. It will also be of interest to university managers, educational policy makers, and those who are ‘hidden’ or informal educators in the community.

Lorraine Ling is Emeritus Professor at La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia and has worked as an education academic in universities for over 35 years during which time she has fulfilled a range of roles including lecturing, executive Dean of Education, Head of Campus and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor. Her research interests include education policy, educational administration, sociology of education, values in education and research paradigms and methods. Lorraine has led international educational development projects and has authored and co-authored many journal articles and books. She had received numerous awards in recognition of her contribution to education and teacher education.

Kay Livingston is Professor of Educational Research, Policy and Practice at the School of Education, University of Glasgow, UK. She has worked as an education academic for over 30 years, holding a range of roles in universities including Co-ordinator of International Education, Director of an Education Research Centre, Reseach Impact Champion and undertaken a secondment to a government agency as Director of International Research and Innovation in an educational policy context. Her work has a strong international focus and she has knowledge and expertise in education systems across Europe. Her main research interests include teacher education, innovation in curriculum, assessment and pedagogy and digital literacies. Kay has lead many international research and development projects. She has authored and co-authored journal articles and books and was editor of the European Journal of Teacher Education for many years and was a co-editor of the Curriculum Journal.