The preparation and induction of Early Career Academics (ECAs) in Ghana has been investigated using a qualitative study that employed an enumerative-ethnographic approach. The study combined reviews of policy documents, interviews of 50 Deans and Heads of Departments and surveys of ECAs in five purposively selected universities in Ghana to capture…

Although it has been decades since gender inequality in academe was first highlighted, institutions around the world continue to struggle with how best to address the problem. Policies and procedures intended to increase women's representation appear to have had limited impact in many departments, especially those in science, technology,…

This mixed-methods study explored how early-career academics (ECA) at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) acquire pedagogical knowledge, develop their teaching experience as well as examine their expectations regarding the teaching profession. A questionnaire, composed mostly of closed questions and one open-ended question, was applied to 71…

Contemporary changes in higher education in Sweden are characterised by two educational discourses: marketisation and academisation. Demands to meet market requirements, as well as to make education more scientific, have created tensions between and within institutional cultures. Using interviews with 16 heads of departments, the authors…

The activities of professorial department heads and the expectations surrounding their activities in British universities are examined, based on staff interviews. Variations in the way department heads adhere to or divert from departmental policy are discussed. (LBH)

The writings of several philosophers are discussed concerning the issue of defining philosophy. The philosopher aims at the world, at knowledge and understanding rather than at self-expression. (JMF)

Discusses why the concept of organizational culture in higher education institutions has failed to reflect the dual position of academics in their disciplinary and institutional contexts, the former of which is generally the determining factor in most academics' conception of their identities. (EV)

The article examines the ways in which rationalities of risk currently work to produce the academic as a self-managing worker within the 'post-welfare' university as a risk-conscious organization. It explores how risk minimization as audit (individual, departmental, organizational), engages all individuals within the university in doing particular…

Examined ways in which department heads and subject coordinators of large first-year subjects experience the leadership of teaching. Explored empirical relations between coordinators' conceptions of leadership and teachers' perceptions of leadership, and between teachers' perceptions of coordinators' leadership and teachers' approaches to…

This article is a review of the literature concerned with leadership effectiveness in higher education at departmental level. The literature derives from publications from three countries: the UK, the USA and Australia. Surprisingly little systematic research has been conducted on the question of which forms of leadership are associated with…

The professional development and accountability of new staff are discussed, and the University of New South Wales' department-based plan for new staff development is described. The program involves planning sessions and record keeping of responsibilities, achievements, needs for professional development, and the resources provided to assist staff.…

In order to ascertain current assessment practices at final degree level in British university geography departments, 33 departments were surveyed. A model was then developed that conveys the value of using a range of examination techniques to suit particular teaching objectives and experiences. (LBH)

Describes the norms and functions of the academic department in large American research universities. The department is seen as an arm of a specialized discipline as well as the administrative unit which applies university resources to the functions of graduate and undergraduate education, recruitment and promotion of academic staff, and research.…

The results of a survey of department chairmen in nine British university-level institutions concerning the system of external evaluation, especially the duties and approaches of examiners, are discussed. (MSE)

A theory of change is applied to change in universities, which may be peculiarly resistant because of their structure of single-discipline departments and economic pressures. It is proposed that forms of faculty development are significant in bringing about positive change. (MSE)