A1 Journal article (refereed)
‘It's Not Like Everything Changes Just With a Click on New Year's Eve’ : Perceptions on Educational Issues of University Mergers in Finland (2021)

Ursin, J., & Aittola, H. (2021). ‘It's Not Like Everything Changes Just With a Click on New Year's Eve’ : Perceptions on Educational Issues of University Mergers in Finland. Higher Education Policy, 34(3), 543-559. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-019-00151-3

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ursin, Jani; Aittola, Helena

Journal or series: Higher Education Policy

ISSN: 0952-8733

eISSN: 1740-3863

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 34

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 543-559

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-019-00151-3

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/66320

Abstract

The study explored educational perceptions concerning Finnish university mergers. The data were collected by interviewing academics and students (n = 30) in four merger projects. Qualitative content analysis was applied to the data. According to the findings, (i) the implications of the merger with regard to educational activities were primarily connected to the institutions’ own culture and history; (ii) new openings in education, teaching, and learning were only moderate in scope at the time of the interviews; (iii) there is strong potential for the enhancement of teachers’ pedagogical competence; (iv) creating a joint organisational and educational culture is a challenging and time-consuming task. The findings further suggest that it is important to pay attention to openness and transparency at all stages of a merger. The study highlights the fact that the actual changes in education, teaching, and learning are slow.

Keywords: higher education policy; universities; unification; reforms; higher education (teaching)

Free keywords: academics; education; merger; reform; university

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1