Making an impact: politics and persuasions in 21st century higher education

Edited book (chapter)

Doyle, Joanne and McDonald, Lisa. 2016. "Making an impact: politics and persuasions in 21st century higher education." Trimmer, Karen (ed.) Political pressures on educational and social research: international perspectives. Oxon, United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 94-103
Chapter Title

Making an impact: politics and persuasions in 21st century
higher education

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID3137
Book TitlePolitical pressures on educational and social research: international perspectives
AuthorsDoyle, Joanne (Author) and McDonald, Lisa (Author)
EditorsTrimmer, Karen
Page Range94-103
Chapter Number8
Number of Pages10
Year2016
PublisherRoutledge
Place of PublicationOxon, United Kingdom
ISBN9781138947122
9781315670263
Web Address (URL)https://www.routledge.com/Political-Pressures-on-Educational-and-Social-Research-International-perspectives/Trimmer/p/book/9781138947122
Abstract

The Higher Education impact agenda is influencing the way research is conceptualised and articulated. Researchers and research funders are favouring applied research projects that demonstrate the real-world benefits of research expenditure. There is increasing emphasis on supporting research that addresses society’s needs and challenges. Real-world impact is sought as a way to ensure that impact extends beyond academic citation rates and impact factors.

The contemporary focus on impact is encouraging applied or solutions-focused research. The pressure to address funding imperatives rather than lead innovation and discovery is placing pressure on the production of rigorous, independent and ethical research. A series of questions arises. Are researchers pressured to reshape research objectives to suit funding priorities? Does funded research reporting tend toward noting only ‘palatable’ outcomes which align with program objectives rather than ameliorate the topic or issue at hand? What do such questions imply about the structure, nature and worth of research today?

This chapter will explore how political persuasions may influence the initiation, progress and reporting of Higher Education research in the 21st century, and argue for the need to more broadly conceptualise what constitutes research impact.

Keywordsresearch impact; higher education; higher education research
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390303. Higher education
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Southern Queensland
Australian Digital Futures Institute
School of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q33y7/making-an-impact-politics-and-persuasions-in-21st-century-higher-education

Log in to edit
  • 1783
    total views
  • 65
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Reconceptualising research impact: reflections on the real-world impact of research in an Australian context
Doyle, Joanne. 2018. "Reconceptualising research impact: reflections on the real-world impact of research in an Australian context." Higher Education Research and Development. 37 (7), pp. 1366-1379. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2018.1504005
The complexity of higher education research impact: exploring the real-world influences of research from the perspective of researchers in a collaborative multidisciplinary research program
Doyle, Joanne. 2017. The complexity of higher education research impact: exploring the real-world influences of research from the perspective of researchers in a collaborative multidisciplinary research program. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/5c089cc17a8ca
Quilpie to Brisbane, moving cattle by rail freight: the regular reliable and responsive services challenge
Woodhead, Alice, Nugent, Timothy, McDonald, Lisa and Rezazade, Faezeh. 2016. Quilpie to Brisbane, moving cattle by rail freight: the regular reliable and responsive services challenge. Toowoomba, Australia. Unpublished.
Sweet success: virtual world tools enhance real world decision making in the Australian sugar industry
Reardon-Smith, Kate, Farley, Helen, Cliffe, Neil, Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Stone, Roger, Doyle, Joanne, Martin, Neil, Ostini, Jenny, Maraseni, Tek, Marcussen, Torben, Loch, Adam and Lindesay, Janette. 2014. "Sweet success: virtual world tools enhance real world decision making in the Australian sugar industry." ICELW 2014: International Conference on e-Learning in the Workplace. New York, United States 11 - 13 Jun 2014
New applications, new global audiences: educators repurposing and reusing 3D virtual and immersive learning resources
Gregory, Sue, O'Connell, Judy, Butler, Des, McDonald, Marcus, Kerr, Tom, Schutt, Stefan, Jacka, Lisa, Corder, Deborah, Hearns, Merle, Sujunesan, Suku, Gregory, Brent, Grant, Scott, Masters, Yvonne, Nicolic, Sasha, de Freitas, Sarah, Sim, Jenny, Doyle, Jo, Reiners, Torsten, Cox, Robert, ..., Irving, Leah. 2015. "New applications, new global audiences: educators repurposing and reusing 3D virtual and immersive learning resources." Reiners, Torsten, Von Konsky, B. R., Gibson, D., Chang, V., Irving, L. and Clarke, K. (ed.) 32nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2015) . Perth, Australia 29 Nov - 02 Dec 2015 Perth, Australia.
Digital futures research and society: action, awareness and accountability
Doyle, Joanne, McDonald, Lisa, Cuthill, Michael and Keppell, Mike. 2015. "Digital futures research and society: action, awareness and accountability." 32nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2015) . Perth, Australia 29 Nov - 02 Dec 2015 Perth, Australia.
Three good reasons to understand the research impact of a technology-enabled initiative
Doyle, Joanne, Farley, Helen, Keppell, Mike, Cuthill, Michael and McDonald, Lisa. 2014. "Three good reasons to understand the research impact of a technology-enabled initiative." Hegarty, Bronwyn, McDonald, Jenny and Loke, Swee-Kin (ed.) 31st Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2014). Dunedin, New Zealand 23 - 26 Nov 2014 Sydney, Australia.
Can digital discussion support tools provide cost-effective options for agricultural extension services?
Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Reardon-Smith, Kate, Cliffe, Neil, Ostini, Jenny, Farley, Helen, Doyle, Joanne and Kealley, Matt. 2017. "Can digital discussion support tools provide cost-effective options for agricultural extension services?" Information Technologies and International Development. 13, pp. 52-68.
iTESOL: Analogous practices in the SLA classroom
McDonald, Lisa. 2011. "iTESOL: Analogous practices in the SLA classroom." 3rd International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (EDULEARN 11). Barcelona, Spain 04 - 06 Jul 2011 Valencia, Spain.
Perceptions of older age and digital participation in rural Queensland
McDonald, Lisa, Starasts, Ann, Tiwari, Sanjib and Lane, Michael. 2016. "Perceptions of older age and digital participation in rural Queensland." Australasian Journal of Regional Studies. 22 (2), pp. 263-284.
Discerning the air: locating local government community engagement practice – reflections on selected Australian experience
McDonald, Lisa, Hickey, Andrew and Reynolds, Paul. 2016. "Discerning the air: locating local government community engagement practice – reflections on selected Australian experience." Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration. 38 (3), pp. 154-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/23276665.2016.1213034
Community enrichment program: developing digital learning in rural aged care
McDonald, Lisa and Arden, Catherine. 2015. Community enrichment program: developing digital learning in rural aged care. Bendigo, VIC, Australia. Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Civic roles, random callings: discerning the university mission [Guest editors' introduction]
O'Shea, Eidin and McDonald, Lisa. 2015. "Civic roles, random callings: discerning the university mission [Guest editors' introduction]." Social Alternatives. 34 (2), pp. 3-5.
Affective strategies in the academy: creative methodologies, civic responses and the market
Crowley, Vicki and McDonald, Lisa. 2015. "Affective strategies in the academy: creative methodologies, civic responses and the market." Social Alternatives. 34 (2), pp. 6-11.
Engaging community with social research: using social research to develop and evaluate local government community engagement initiatives
Hickey, Andrew, Reynolds, Paul and McDonald, Lisa. 2015. Engaging community with social research: using social research to develop and evaluate local government community engagement initiatives. Sydney, NSW. Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.
Conflict and Collaboration on Queensland's Agricultural Rail Lines
Nugent, Timothy and McDonald, Lisa. 2016. "Conflict and Collaboration on Queensland's Agricultural Rail Lines." 2018 Australian Regional Development Conference. Canberra, Australia 17 - 18 Sep 2018 Canberra, Australia.
Virtual discussions to support climate risk decision making on farms
Reardon-Smith, Kate, Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Farley, Helen S., Cliffe, Neil, Stone, Roger C., Ostini, Jenny, Doyle, Joanne, Martin, Neil, Loch, Adam, Maraseni, Tek, Marcussen, Torben and Lindesay, Janette. 2015. "Virtual discussions to support climate risk decision making on farms." Journal of Economic and Social Policy. 17 (2).
Putting virtual worlds to work to support improved climate risk decision-making on real world farms
Reardon-Smith, Kate, Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Stone, Roger, Cliffe, Neil, Farley, Helen, Ostini, Jenny, Doyle, Joanne, Martin, Neil and Loch, Adam. 2015. "Putting virtual worlds to work to support improved climate risk decision-making on real world farms." 2nd International Conference on Global Food Security. Cornell University, Ithaca, United States 11 - 14 Oct 2015
Does 'get visible or vanish' herald the end of 'publish or perish'?
Doyle, Joanne and Cuthill, Michael. 2015. "Does 'get visible or vanish' herald the end of 'publish or perish'?" Higher Education Research and Development. 34 (3), pp. 671-674. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2015.1025467
Researching regional impact: the challenges and complexities
Doyle, Joanne, Cuthill, Michael, McDonald, Lisa and Keppell, Mike. 2014. "Researching regional impact: the challenges and complexities." Keppell, Mike and Reushle, Shirley (ed.) 2nd Digital Rural Futures Conference 2014. Toowoomba, Australia 25 - 27 Jun 2014 Toowoomba, Australia.
Virtual world technologies to enhance climate risk management on Australian sugar cane farms
Reardon-Smith, Kate, Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Stone, Roger, Cliffe, Neil, Farley, Helen, Ostini, Jenny, Doyle, Joanne, Martin, Neil, Maraseni, Tek, Marcussen, Torben, Loch, Adam and Lindesay, Janette. 2014. "Virtual world technologies to enhance climate risk management on Australian sugar cane farms." Climate Adaptation (NCCARF 2014): Future Challenges. Gold Coast, Australia 30 Sep - 02 Oct 2014 Gold Coast, Australia.
Understanding community to engage community: the use of qualitative research techniques in local government community engagement
Hickey, Andrew, Reynolds, Paul and McDonald, Lisa. 2015. "Understanding community to engage community: the use of qualitative research techniques in local government community engagement." Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration. 37 (1), pp. 4-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/23276665.2015.1018371
Ecology, alterity - art
McDonald, Lisa. 2015. "Ecology, alterity - art." The International Journal of Science in Society. 6 (2), pp. 13-23.
Using digital technologies to implement distance education for incarcerated students: a case study from an Australian regional university
Farley, Helen Sara and Doyle, Joanne. 2014. "Using digital technologies to implement distance education for incarcerated students: a case study from an Australian regional university." Open Praxis. 6 (4), pp. 357-363. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.6.4.134
The spell of the cell: molecular reproduction and the genetic imaginary
McDonald, Lisa. 2005. "The spell of the cell: molecular reproduction and the genetic imaginary." Lorek-Jezinska, Edyta and Wieckowska, Kararzyna (ed.) Corporeal inscriptions: representations of the body in cultural and literary texts and practices. Torun, Poland. Nicolaus Copernicus University Press. pp. 237-249
Digital editing as cultural practice
McDonald, Lisa. 2002. "Digital editing as cultural practice." Emergences: Journal for the Study of Media and Composite Cultures. 12 (2), pp. 235-253. https://doi.org/10.1080/10457220216363
Baroque inclinations: The Politics of Imagination. Benjamin, Kracauer, Kluge, by Tara Forrest
McDonald, Lisa. 2008. "Baroque inclinations: The Politics of Imagination. Benjamin, Kracauer, Kluge, by Tara Forrest." Cultural Studies Review. 14 (2), pp. 210-214.
The development of virtual world tools to enhance learning and real world decision making in the Australian sugar farming industry
Reardon-Smith, Kathryn, Farley, Helen, Cliffe, Neil, Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Stone, Roger, Doyle, Joanne, Martin, Neil, Ostini, Jenny, Maraseni, Tek, Marcussen, Torben, Loch, Adam and Lindesay, Janette. 2014. "The development of virtual world tools to enhance learning and real world decision making in the Australian sugar farming industry." International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning. 7 (3), pp. 17-23. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijac.v7i3.4002
MergerMarginMark[Me]: exploring digital technologies in film and electronic media
McDonald, Lisa. 2001. "MergerMarginMark[Me]: exploring digital technologies in film and electronic media." Antithesis. 12, pp. 96-115.
Dis/articulating bellies: a reproductive glance
McDonald, Lisa. 2007. "Dis/articulating bellies: a reproductive glance." Cultural Studies Review. 13 (1), pp. 187-207.
Writing, with, t/error. and calling on the body of an artist
McDonald, Lisa. 2007. "Writing, with, t/error. and calling on the body of an artist." Cultural Studies Review. 13 (2), pp. 66-76.
Discussing the interest in age, vitality and proximity in dispersed regional communities
McDonald, Lisa. 2014. "Discussing the interest in age, vitality and proximity in dispersed regional communities." International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies. 12 (2), pp. 23-38.
iTESOL: analogous practices in the SLA classroom
McDonald, Lisa. 2010. "iTESOL: analogous practices in the SLA classroom." Tesol in Context. 20 (2), pp. 42-51.
A possible science: topologies of interest in corporeal cultural flows
McDonald, Lisa. 2009. "A possible science: topologies of interest in corporeal cultural flows." International Journal of Science in Society. 1 (1), pp. 69-77.
Using a virtual world to enable real world decision making
Reardon-Smith, Kate, Farley, Helen, Stone, Roger, Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Cliffe, Neil, Doyle, Joanne, Martin, Neil, Maraseni, Tek, Marcussen, Torben, Lindesay, Janette, Loch, Adam and Kealley, Matt. 2013. "Using a virtual world to enable real world decision making." Lamb, David (ed.) 1st Digital Rural Futures Conference: Smart Farms - Smart Regions (DRF 2013). Armidale, Australia 26 - 28 Jun 2013 Armidale, Australia.
Nothing but sunshine: writing across monsoonal lines, inflecting electronic arts
McDonald, Lisa. 2009. "Nothing but sunshine: writing across monsoonal lines, inflecting electronic arts." The International Journal of the Arts in Society. 4 (4), pp. 369-380.
Listening to the student voice: how are students really using mobile technologies for learning?
Murphy, Angela, Farley, Helen, Johnson, Chris, Lane, Michael, Carter, Brad, Hafeez-Baig, Abdul, Midgley, Warren, Dekeyser, Stijn, Rees, Sharon, Mitchell, Maxine, Doyle, Joanne and Koronios, Andy. 2013. "Listening to the student voice: how are students really using mobile technologies for learning?" Carter, Helen, Gosper, Maree and Hedberg, John (ed.) 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2013). Sydney, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2013
The digital PhD student
Doyle, Joanne, Rees, Sharon, Farley, Helen and Keppell, Mike. 2013. "The digital PhD student." Carter, Helen, Gosper, Maree and Hedberg, John (ed.) 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2013). Sydney, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2013
Figuring fertility: poetics in the cultural practices of reproductive science
McDonald, Lisa. 2011. Figuring fertility: poetics in the cultural practices of reproductive science. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed.
Getting the full picture: storyboarding our way to stand alone Moodle
Doyle, Joanne, Farley, Helen and Martin, Neil. 2013. "Getting the full picture: storyboarding our way to stand alone Moodle." Carter, Helen, Gosper, Maree and Hedberg, John (ed.) 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2013). Sydney, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2013 Australia.
To love-to live: barrow and cart
McDonald, Lisa and Crowley, Vicki. 2013. "To love-to live: barrow and cart." Cultural Studies Review. 19 (2), pp. 290-306.
Applying a reverse induction process for improved definition of higher education technology-supported research projects
Doyle, Joanne and Farley, Helen. 2012. "Applying a reverse induction process for improved definition of higher education technology-supported research projects." Brown, M., Hartnett, M. and Stewart, T. (ed.) 29th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2012). Wellington, New Zealand 25 - 28 Nov 2012 Gold Coast, Australia.
The Ethics of Waste: How We Relate To Rubbish by Gay Hawkins
McDonald, Lisa. 2006. "The Ethics of Waste: How We Relate To Rubbish by Gay Hawkins." Australian Public Intellectual Network Review of Books.