Aarts, H., Halverson, T., & Taylor, P. (Eds.). Democratising Knowledge for Global Development: The Role of European Higher Education Institutions. EAIE Occasional Paper No 23. European Association for International Education. Amsterdam, 2011. ISSN 0927-3514, ISBN 978-90-74721-00-4. Pages: 128.

A common assumption is that higher education and research contribute to ‘development’ writ large and ultimately to a better life for all. But are universities and other higher education institutions really the ‘social institutions’ (effectively serving the public good, locally and globally) we have long expected them to be? This collection of papers by leading experts explores the fundamental question of how (European) higher education can contribute to global human development, particularly in the face of rapid globalisation and a transformation of the European research university. In the process, the publication highlights some of the key areas and approaches to be considered in this context, including European higher education’s commitment to engaging with partner institutions in the “Global South”; rethinking ‘globalisation at home’ and ‘knowledge for development’; and seeking new modalities for collaboration and engagement.

European Association for International Education