Ratings and Rankings in Higher Education: A New-Materialist Exploration of How They Control Society

Rating and ranking systems in higher education create competition and antagonism, dividing the academic population and negatively impacting how people and institutions understand themselves. This important critique argues for a response to these practices, especially in light of rising inequality and ecological collapse, and poses the question of whether we can imagine a world without top 10 rankings and out of 5 scores.

Format: Hardback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

From social media to PISA and Rotten Tomatoes, ratings and rankings permeate our daily lives. Initially appearing harmless, they have the power to shape and govern significant aspects of society, including social interactions, public health, and economic hierarchies. In this critical examination, author Jonas Thiel argues against these practices, utilizing the UK's higher education model as a case study. Through tools like the National Student Surveys (NSS), Thiel demonstrates how these systems divide the academic population, making it governable and controllable. Contrary to its intended goal of enhancing teaching through competition over student satisfaction, Thiel argues that such systems have a profound and often negative impact on how individuals and institutions perceive themselves. Drawing on the theories of Karen Barad, Foucault, and Laclaus, the book raises urgent concerns about the need to respond to these boundary-drawing practices, particularly in the face of rising inequality and ecological collapse. It poses the provocative question: can we envision a world without top 10 rankings and out of 5 scores? This thought-provoking book appeals to advanced students and scholars in psychology, education, sociology, and philosophy, engaging with ongoing debates about value, tuition fees, and the role of higher education in society.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367417543