Can universities change?
- 1 January 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Studies in Higher Education
- Vol. 6 (1) , 23-33
- https://doi.org/10.1080/03075078112331379499
Abstract
The article applies Lewin' theory of change to the question of change in universities which, it is contended, are peculiarly resistant to change. Illustrations are provided by analyses of an attempt to change academic staff through a conference and action programme, of the failure of inter-disciplinary courses to establish themselves, and of the effect of economic pressures on universities. It is argued that the structure of universities through single-discipline departments provides a powerful conservative influence and that a small but significant step towards making change more likely could come about through forms of staff development. In line with Lewin' theory, it is suggested that small earmarked grants to innovators are likely to have an effect out of all proportion to their size, as was indeed the case when the UGC gave a very small grant in 1972 for the improvement of teaching.Keywords
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