The collection highlights the importance of small islands for exploring higher education studies and provides analysis of higher education provision in various island contexts, exploring challenges and opportunities and disrupting normative discourses and practices.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Higher education studies and island studies intersect in this collection, highlighting the significance of small islands for research and practice in higher education. The book offers analysis of higher education provision in diverse island contexts worldwide, exploring the challenges and opportunities of small island higher education and shedding light on the practices and experiences of those involved. It demonstrates how small islands provide a valuable context for examining the scalar dynamics of higher education provision, disrupting normative discourses, understandings, and practices in education policy, curricula, and experiences.

Higher Education Studies and Island Studies: Intersecting Concerns

This collection pinpoints the intersecting concerns of higher education studies and island studies, arguing for the value of small islands for exploring research and practice in higher education. Presenting analysis of higher education provision in a range of island contexts from across the globe, the book explores the challenges and opportunities of small island higher education and sheds light on the practices and experiences of those involved. It also demonstrates how the small island offers a valuable context from which to explore the scalar dynamics of higher education provision more widely and how these contexts can disrupt normative discourses, understandings, and practices in education policy, curricula, and experiences.

The Significance of Small Islands for Research and Practice in Higher Education

Small islands provide a unique and valuable context for exploring research and practice in higher education. They offer a range of advantages that are not available in larger or more developed regions. Firstly, small islands are often characterized by a close-knit community, which can facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing. This can be particularly beneficial for research projects that require interdisciplinary expertise and collaboration. Secondly, small islands are often located in remote areas, which can provide a unique setting for conducting research. This can be particularly useful for studies that involve natural resources, environmental studies, or cultural studies. Thirdly, small islands are often characterized by a unique cultural and linguistic heritage, which can provide a rich source of data and insights for research. This can be particularly useful for studies that involve cultural identity, language, or social dynamics. Fourthly, small islands are often characterized by a limited number of educational institutions, which can provide a unique opportunity for research and innovation. This can be particularly useful for studies that involve educational policy, curriculum development, or teacher training. Finally, small islands are often characterized by a strong sense of community and identity, which can provide a valuable context for exploring the social and cultural dimensions of higher education. This can be particularly useful for studies that involve social justice, equity, or community engagement.

Analysis of Higher Education Provision in Island Contexts

The book presents analysis of higher education provision in a range of island contexts from across the globe. It explores the challenges and opportunities of small island higher education and sheds light on the practices and experiences of those involved. The analysis includes case studies from a variety of island contexts, including the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Mediterranean. The case studies highlight the unique challenges and opportunities that small island higher education faces, including limited resources, geographic isolation, and cultural diversity. They also demonstrate the innovative practices and strategies that have been developed to address these challenges and opportunities. For example, some small island higher education institutions have developed innovative teaching and learning practices that incorporate local cultural knowledge and practices, while others have developed partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide students with practical experience and job opportunities. The book also highlights the importance of community engagement and collaboration in small island higher education. It argues that small island communities are often deeply invested in their educational institutions and that this can provide a strong foundation for innovation and change. However, it also notes that community engagement and collaboration can be challenging in small island contexts, due to factors such as limited resources and geographic isolation. The book also explores the scalar dynamics of higher education provision in island contexts. It argues that small islands can provide a valuable context for examining the scalar dynamics of higher education provision, disrupting normative discourses, understandings, and practices in education policy, curricula, and experiences. For example, small islands can provide a unique setting for exploring the relationship between education and social justice, equity, and community engagement. They can also provide a unique setting for exploring the relationship between education and the environment, and the role of education in promoting sustainable development. The book also highlights the importance of small island higher education in promoting cultural diversity and identity. It argues that small island higher education institutions can play a critical role in preserving and promoting local cultural traditions and languages, and in providing students with a global perspective on education. However, it also notes that small island higher education institutions can face challenges in promoting cultural diversity and identity, due to factors such as limited resources and geographic isolation. In conclusion, this collection pinpoints the intersecting concerns of higher education studies and island studies, arguing for the value of small islands for exploring research and practice in higher education. Presenting analysis of higher education provision in a range of island contexts from across the globe, the book explores the challenges and opportunities of small island higher education and sheds light on the practices and experiences of those involved. It also demonstrates how the small island offers a valuable context from which to explore the scalar dynamics of higher education provision more widely and how these contexts can disrupt normative discourses, understandings, and practices in education policy, curricula, and experiences.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529226508