In these immensely challenging times for higher education, with assaults on academic, personal and institutional freedom –and indeed existence– the work of education is more important than ever: sharing, solidarity, communality and care.
Almost eighteen months ago, in the face of the growing polycrisis, 70+ authors & artists openly published a collective work of scholarship, imagination and hope – Higher Education for Good. We are grateful to the many who have found the work useful and generative, whether for individual reading, as a teaching resource, or for their research. Today, Laura Czerniewicz and I, on behalf of all contributors to the book, want to thank Maureen Robinson (Stellenbosch University); Hannah Cobb (The University of Manchester); and Najma Agherdien and Fatima Rahiman (University of the Witwatersrand) for their recent reviews of the book.
- Maureen Robinson (February 2025). British Journal of Educational Studies.
Book review: Higher Education for Good
“Within the current global polycrisis of armed conflict, ecological degradation, and economic inequalities, all of which impact on higher education, the vision and pragmatism of this book indeed provides a glimmer of hope. Readers can do no better than explore the stories, images, theoretical outlines and experiences outlined in this book and consider their own contribution, in whatever form, to an international network that seeks to promote higher education for good.” - Hannah Cobb (February 2025). Action Learning Research & Practice.
Book review: Higher Education for Good
“More broadly, the ‘good’ that Higher Education for Good is committed to emerges from an ethically embedded, social justice and activism driven, care laden theorizing of and suggestions for higher education … the volume demands that the reader constantly questions normative, hegemonic, homogenous views of Higher Education, whilst providing clear and practical suggestions to instead enact the five core tenets of the manifesto ‘of action, inspiration, and hope’.” - Najma Agherdien & Fatima Rahiman (December 2024). Critical Studies in Teaching & Learning.
Book review: Higher Education for Good
“Amidst a political climate of genocide/scholasticide, and an education sector fraught with epistemic violence and tainted by injustice, ‘hope’ and ‘for good’ have become intangible, impossible, and almost inconceivable. The timely publication of Higher Education for Good: Teaching and Learning Futures brought with it the courage to dream and/or to not fall into a trap of despair. The book has become what Beetham (2024) calls ‘the desperate throw of a lifeline or the hopeful throw of a dream…towards better alternatives’ … The book is a generous gift to the globe”
Here is a link to the Open Access book, on the Open Book Publisher’s website: Higher Education for Good: Teaching and Learning Futures
Solidarity to all.
[slightly edited version of post shared on LinkedIn 20-Mar-2025]