Evidence-based policy or policy-based evidence? Higher education policies and policymaking 1987–2012

Abstract

The article discusses higher education policies and policy making during the period of the author's direct involvement between the mid-80s and the present. The author points to an increasingly ideological form of policy making which has emphasised the economic role of higher education and created a higher education 'market'. As the scope of government has widened, the role of the Civil Service as a check on Ministers has reduced. Whilst the sector's influence on policies has also lessened, there is still more the universities could do to protect themselves as the case of quality assurance demonstrates. However this would require a willingness to act on the basis of research evidence, of which the author still sees little sign.

Keywords:

• higher education
• higher education policy making
• quality assurance

Additional information

Roger Brown retired recently as Professor of Higher Education Policy at Liverpool Hope University. He was previously Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Quality Council and Chief Executive of the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics. Before that he was a senior Civil Servant.