Communicate for a Change: Revitalizing Conversations for Higher Education

Communicate for a Change is a book that encourages courageous conversations about nine taboo subjects in higher education. It brings together nine insightful conversations with distinguished scholars Lori Carrell and Robert Zemsky to explore difficult questions and refocus the conversation on what really matters. The book explores why it is hard to talk about the mess that higher education is in, how to overcome the academy's fondness for slogans, how money talks, why curricular change doesn't usually happen, the students we hardly know, and how to constructively approach differences of race and gender.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2021
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

This book is a unique and thought-provoking exploration of nine taboo subjects that plague higher education. For nearly a decade, distinguished scholars Lori Carrell and Robert Zemsky have engaged in candid conversations with each other, as well as with colleagues and friends, about the state of higher education. In Communicate for a Change, they compile nine of their most insightful and thought-provoking dialogues to delve into challenging questions that administrators, trustees, and faculty members often avoid.

The authors begin by questioning why it is so difficult to discuss the current state of higher education. They argue that the conversation often gets bogged down in rhetoric and fails to address the core issues that are affecting the sector. Carrell and Zemsky suggest that we can refocus the conversation on what truly matters by tackling taboo subjects in a way that promotes revitalization from within.

The book is grounded in the real, as opposed to the rhetorical, importance of community in driving change. The authors explore various themes, including why the public no longer views faculty as heroes and experts, how to overcome the academy's fondness for slogans, the influence of money, the challenges of curricular change, the students we hardly know, and how to constructively approach differences of race and gender.

Throughout the book, a golden thread weaves its way, revealing the premise that rich, honest talk can foster trust, connection, and innovative ideas for revolutionary change. Carrell, the chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester, is known for her practical approach to learning, which stems from her hands-on experience in navigating conflict and connection. Zemsky, on the other hand, is a provocateur who uses arguments to explore differences and conflicts. Both authors bring their unique perspectives to the table, contributing to a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education.

Communicate for a Change is a valuable resource for administrators, trustees, faculty members, and anyone interested in higher education. It offers insights and perspectives that challenge the status quo.quo and encourages a more open and honest dialogue about the issues that are shaping the future of the sector. By tackling taboo subjects and promoting revitalization from within, this book offers a roadmap for creating a more sustainable and equitable higher education system.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421441740