WORKSHOP Reinventing University: the Digital Challenge in Higher Education – HEAd’23 conference
New education sources are emerging, representing both a solution and a challenge for students, schools and universities. Online learning could be considered an essential instrument for the future of the EHEA, especially in light of the digital transformation produced by the covid pandemic. Online delivery challenges HE and policy making (Horizon Report 2016). Technology is changing HE, although it is under-utilised (EE.CC, 2016). In line with the objectives of the European Innovation Agenda, the Higher education system has to support Europe’s innovation capacity, developing digital skills and big data analysis to prepare future policies and guarantee future sustainable growth and cohesion.
Further, data has become a key asset for our societies, and the need to make sense of ‘big data’ and the new application of AI is a crucial priority across the EU. These changes require HEIs to review organisation, management, evaluation processes, relations systems and competencies framework for teaching and learning and, above all, the meaning of the university’s mission in the digital society, the values towards which to direct, conduct and disseminate research. This also implies an ethical responsibility regarding the choices and priorities to be pursued for the present and the future of the next generations.
By way of example only and not exclusively, this Call, according to an interdisciplinary approach will consider contributions that fall within the following thematic areas:
1. critical theoretical reflection and/or empirical research focused on digital transformation in HEis
2. the evolution of Digital Technologies in HE: from the European vision to the university governance;
3. how the universities’ organisational model evolves through digital transformation;
4. how Universities promote innovation and digital challenge in their processes and learning-teaching activities;
5. new training model to respond to new knowledge and skills demands in a context of a universal entitlement to LLL;
6. the promotion of online quality relationships and e-learning standards;
7. the transformation of the university into a complex organisation and the rethinking of the professional development system;
8. the development of best practices in training and skills development for “online” learning in higher education (HE)
9. how big data and IA challenges are transforming the capacity of Universities to build and disseminate scientific knowledge.
Theoretical and empirical papers addressing the proposed timings at the meta, macro, meso or micro level are welcome.
