What is happening to US higher education?

Phys.org  April 11, 2024 A team of researchers in the US (Vanderbilt University, Saint Joseph’s University, Western Kentucky University, Valdosta State University, Wingate University) interpreted the destabilization in U.S. higher education using Layton’s theory of marketing systems to detail disruptions to academia’s system settings. They examined the interplay between societal, technological, competitive, and political power shifts as major disruptors reshaping higher education and examined the shifts by intertwining history with the demands of today’s evolving landscape, emphasizing the need for transformative change. They highlighted three impacted areas: governance, sentiment, and transformation. Layton’s theory provided stakeholders a starting point to make […]

Women and young academics suffered most during pandemic and may face long-term career consequences

Phys.org  December 16, 2021 On March 6, 2020, universities across the U.S. announced systematic laboratory closures, social distancing policies and travel bans to cope with the growing coronavirus epidemic. A multi-university project, called SciOPS, conducted a survey which revealed that the pandemic’s hardships in academia have been widespread and lasting, and female and early career scientists faced more negative impacts than other groups. These differences are likely aggravating already existing disparities and potentially altering career trajectories. The negative outcomes may last well beyond the end of the pandemic. On the research side, 93% of respondents experienced university shutdowns and 88% […]