Around the world, the landscape of Higher Education is increasingly shaped by discourses of employability, rankings, and student satisfaction. Under these conditions, the role of universities in preparing students for all facets of life, and to contribute to the public good, is reshaped in significant ways: ways which are often negative and pessimistic. This book raises important and pressing questions about the nature and role of universities as formative educational institutions, drawing together contributors from both Western and non-Western perspectives. While the editors and contributors critique the current situation, the chapters evince a more humane and compassionate framing of the work of and in universities, based on positive and valued relationships and notions of the good. Drawing together a wide range of theoretical and conceptual frameworks to illuminate the issues discussed, this volume changes the debate to one of hopefulness and inspiration about the role of higher education for the public good: ultimately looking towards a potentially exciting and rewarding future through which humanity and the planet can flourish.

Paul Gibbs is Director of Education Research at the University of Middlesex, UK. He is also the founder of the Centre for Education Research and Scholarship at the University of Middlesex, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Open University in Hong Kong and the University of Cyprus. Andrew Peterson is Professor of Character and Citizenship Education at the University of Birmingham, UK and Adjunct Professor of Education at the University of South Australia, Australia.