Control by numbers: new managerialism and ranking in higher education

• Published in: Critical studies in education Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 190 - 207
• Main Author: Lynch, Kathleen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne Routledge 04.05.2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Academic Rank (Professional); Accountability; audit; Auditing; Audits (Verification); culture; Educational Administration; Educational markets; Foreign Countries; Governance; Higher Education; ideological tool; Institutional Evaluation; Ireland; League tables; Managerialism; Managers; markets; measurement; Neoliberalism; new managerialism; numbers, performativity; Performance indicators; public interests; Quality indicators; ranking; Reputation; Universities; University administration; University planning; Ireland

This paper analyses the role of rankings as an instrument of new managerialism. It shows how rankings are reconstituting the purpose of universities, the role of academics and the definition of what it is to be a student. The paper opens by examining the forces that have facilitated the emergence of...