State-University Relationships at Times of Crisis

Abstract

The relations between state and university can be analyzed according to autonomy and control, as well as according to system integration. Such arrangements vary with political, societal and economic conditions. At times of crisis, the regimes underpinning the functioning of the state, of higher education (HE) as well as of other policy sectors may be challenged and reformed. Since the 80s HE systems have undergone reforms aimed at ‘modernizing’ the relationship between higher education institutions (HEIs), the state and society. These are intended, among others, to grant more autonomy to HEIs, with the assumption that, by being free to act strategically, universities can achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness, responsiveness, and European/global competitiveness. However, more recently, governments have adapted these reform foci by seeking to (re-)establish control and coordination and to enhance system integration. Some of these changes are carried out within general public sector reforms addressing public sector fragmentation and loss of political control. This panel seeks to investigate how different waves of reforms occur and impact HE systems and universities by examining the factors and conditions facilitating and/or hindering institutional change. In particular it intends to explore how the recent crisis – economic, financial, but also political and institutional – has influenced the organization and functioning of HE in Europe. 1) How do reforms with distinct rationales (e.g. deregulation and reregulation) intertwine and affect system complexity, integration, centralization, as well as state capacity of coordination? 2) How and in which dimensions has the relationship between university and state changed, particularly regarding institutional autonomy and control? 3) How are European level structures addressing and/or affecting system integration and loss of political control in HE systems and how are they linked to HEIs? 4) How do various types of HEIs, especially research intensive universities, react to such pressures for change?

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