The Why, What, and How of Actioning Change in Higher Education

Abstract

This chapter introduces the book. It provides the rationale, with evidence of why it is necessary to change current philosophy and practices in higher education (HE) to make it more inclusive, flexible, and responsive to both external and internal change drivers. It discusses the core idea of this book that individuals and groups of people working in HE are best placed to initiate and bring about positive and sustainable change in their own practices. We provide a global perspective on ideas of what constitutes responsive, sustainable action for change in HE, using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of UNESCO as a starting point and moral imperative for moving towards positive change. We explain our philosophical assumptions, understanding, and perspective as a baseline for thinking about how to action change. Finally, we outline the book to guide the reader through this volume.