Changing Universities

How have universities changed over the past 60 years? Are they any better now than they once were? These are some of the issues that John Biggs faces in reviewing his long academic career. It was a journey via Australia, the UK, Canada and Hong Kong. His experiences were bizarre, traumatic, hilarious but in the end rewarding. His experiences tell us what universities were once like, how they came to be what they are today, with a hopeful stab at what they might be like in future.

Prof John Kirby, Queen’s University, Canada says: "Biggs is a true scholar, happiest when left to his research and teaching."

Prof John Hattie, University of Melbourne, says: "John Biggs tells the story of change via a remarkable career – across four continents, seven universities, and different cultures. He raises serious questions about how universities are run, for what reason, and for what benefits. A perfect read not only for current academics but also for outsiders who wonder what happens in the ivory towers.