Crisis Response in Higher Education: How the Pandemic Challenged University Operations and Organisation

This open access book explores the impact of Covid-19 on universities, and how students, staff, faculty and academic leaders have adapted to and dealt with the impact of the pandemic. Drawing on experiences from Britain, Australia and Sweden, it showcases how Covid has challenged routines and procedures in universities, and thrown them into a disarray of ever-changing events and short-term adaptations. The authors pay particular attention to how students, staff, faculty, and leaders have coped with Covid, through a series of autobiographical portraits of their strains but also heroic efforts in the harshest of circumstances.

This important book explores the exceptional ramifications of the pandemic but also how universities may contribute to a fairer and more robust society and concludes with a set of prescriptions for universities that aim to be proactive and resilient forces in society. It will be of interest to scholars interested in higher education, governance and organizational studies.

This is an open access book.

Mats Benner is Professor and Dean at Lund University School of Economics and Management, Sweden. He has written extensively on research policy and university governance, and served on many advisory committees for universities, organizations and governments.

Mary O’Kane is a company director, government advisor and Executive Chair of O’Kane Associates, specialising in major reviews of research and academic organisations in a range of countries. She was New South Wales Chief Scientist & Engineer from 2008-2018; and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide from 1996-2001. She is particularly experienced in the governance of research companies and organisations.

Jonathan Grant is founding Director of Different Angles Ltd, a consultancy that focuses on the social impact of universities and research. His main interests are in biomedical and health R&D policy, research impact assessment, the use of research and evidence in policy and decision-taking, and the social purpose of universities in the 21st century. He was previously Professor of Public Policy at King’s College London.