Spanners in the Works: Quality Professionals in Irish Higher Education
Citation:
Sinéad Mary O'Sullivan, 'Spanners in the Works: Quality Professionals in Irish Higher Education', Trinity College Dublin.School of Education, 2022Download Item:
Abstract:
In the context of the debate as to the future of Irish higher education, the
purpose and identity of emerging professional roles such as quality offices
and education developers that straddle both the academic and central
administrative divide remains unclear.
Despite the existence of a prolific body of literature on quality in higher
education, the perspective of those required to implement quality assurance
(QA) policies has been missing until very recently.
For the first time, the regulated higher education sector in Ireland is guided
by the same statutory core quality assurance guidelines. This affords an
opportunity to explore the role and perspective of QA professionals across
the sector as they navigate the boundary between multiple professional
cultures and an increasingly market led and regulatory bound education
system.
A combination of survey and 39 semi structured interviews is used, adopting
a case study approach to allow comparability across the degree awarding
body, institute of technology and private/independent sectors of Irish higher
education.
Using professions, social identity and boundary spanning theories, Anteby,
Chan and Di Benigno’s (2016) framework of occupational analysis is adapted
to answer questions on the professional identity of quality professionals,
how they navigate different cultures within their organisation and if a distinct
profession is emerging.
Author: O'Sullivan, Sinéad Mary
Advisor:
Walsh, JohnQualification name:
Doctor of PhilosophyType of material:
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