Paul Ashwin, Lancaster University
Golo Henseke, UCL Institute of Education
Diana Laurillard, UCL Institute of Education
Xin Xu, University of Oxford
Minto Felix, University of Oxford
David Mills, University of Oxford

What do we mean by ‘higher education studies’, the field of social science research that underpins the Centre for Global Higher Education and this webinar series? What kind of academic inquiry falls under this heading? What are the purposes of the research and scholarship, what are its themes and issues, what are the other disciplines that have influenced it, and what is the contribution of this research to higher education and to the world? What is it in the work of higher education researchers that can make the average vice-chancellor or president sweat and the best minister of education beam with gratitude? Or vice versa.

Our panel of active researchers in higher education studies will each briefly tackle the question in the webinar title before inviting the participant audience to join with questions and discussion. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see and hear the research field up close and personal, and to help it to better connect with its core missions. What is your take on what should be the focus of higher education research? What are the burning issues right now that must be addressed?