Challenging chronocentrism: new approaches to futures thinking in the policy and praxis of widening participation in higher education

ABSTRACT

This paper examines one of the key temporal characteristics evident in public policy frames for widening participation in higher education. It demonstrates that the ambitions of such policies are potentially compromised by temporal notions implicated in a mode of chronocentrism, forecasting the future as a ‘minimal departure’ from the present. Engaging with the latest research into Futures Literacy and Anticipation it outlines alternative strategies for recognising and renegotiating such constraints (‘What If?’ scenarios and gaming), opening up pathways for policymakers and practitioners to imagine the future of higher education as a more inclusive and equitable time–space.

KEYWORDS:

• Narrative
• anticipation
• future
• presentism
• widening participation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Elsewhere Poli observes that (2017, 244): ‘All too often, institutions work as if the future “is there” and they simply have to “go there”.’

2 https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/higher-education-widening-participation

3 ‘Selectivity’ here is based on membership to the Russell Group mission group and entry tariff.