Every year, university leaders around the world anxiously await the publication of the latest university rankings. Whether their institutions improved their performance and gained positions, will determine their success (or failure) as administrators.
In principle, the element of competition can be a powerful driver of improvement and innovation. And yet, there is hardly a more fiercely contested topic in international higher education than university rankings. Why? What are the problems and consequences (intended or not) of pitting universities against each other? Are there better ways? And – perhaps more fundamentally – why are rankings so hugely important, if everyone seems to be unhappy with them? To answer these and many other questions, we are joined in conversation today by Professor Ellen Hazelkorn, one of the leading experts on international higher education (not that we would dare to rank them!).
About Ellen Hazelkorn
Ellen is a Joint Managing Partner of BH Associates, Professor Emeritus at the Technological University Dublin, and Joint Editor of Policy Reviews in Higher Education. She has worked as higher education policy consultant and specialist with international organisations and governments, such as the European Commission, UNESCO and many more, for over 20 years. Ellen regularly undertakes strategic and research evaluations for European and national research/scientific councils and universities. She is a member of numerous boards and commissions and is internationally recognised for her writings and analysis of ranking and other forms of quality and transparency instruments within higher education. Additional biographical information on Ellen can be found here.
Further reading
For further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:
→ Research Handbook on University Rankings: Theory, Methodology, Influence and Impact
→ EAIE Podcast: Didi Griffioen: Teaching and research – a balancing act
→ January blog on rankings in University World News by Ellen Hazelkorn and Georgiana Mihut