Making Sense of Academic Life

This volume helps academics to become players rather than pawns in the process of change. To do so it raises issues that might inform thinking about - and therefore reactions to academics' experiences of their changing roles in changing universities. In universities, the tradition is to change. The author looks at the big picture of change in higher education, and in academics' work and work environments. The focus is on the emergent educational role of academics, and the relationship between academics and their institutions. In these times, the strategy of working harder will not work. Unlike books written about how universities might be better managed, this book explores issues of self-interest self-management for academics. It suggests new ways of thinking about the nature and future of academic work, particularly in terms of the relationship between academic and institutional values, priorities and practices. This book should be of interest to academics, aspiring academics and academic managers.