What the study found
The special issue is intended to deepen understanding of the Europeanisation of universities from 1980 to the mid-1990s by comparing five universities in different European settings. It suggests that this comparison can show both differences and similarities in how European integration affected the academic system during a crucial period.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the comparative approach is useful for understanding how universities changed in relation to broader developments, including the acceleration of European integration around 1990 and the rise of the "knowledge society" as a political discourse and self-understanding.
What the researchers tested
The special issue uses a comparative approach centered on five universities situated in different European contexts. The authors draw on expertise on individual universities in different societies and academic systems to relate university transformations to wider historical currents.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract does not report specific empirical results for individual universities. It states that the geographical diversity and main differences among the universities provide an opportunity to identify both differences and similarities in Europeanisation.
What to keep in mind
This abstract describes the aim and approach of a special issue, not a detailed results section. It does not provide specific findings, limitations, or evidence beyond the stated comparative framework.
Key points
- The special issue compares five universities in different European contexts.
- It focuses on the Europeanisation of universities from 1980 to the mid-1990s.
- The authors connect university changes to European integration around 1990.
- The abstract also links the topic to the rise of the "knowledge society" discourse.
- No specific empirical findings for the individual universities are reported in the abstract.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Comparative study of Europeanisation in five universities
- Authors:
- Johan Östling, Maria Simonsen, Marie-Gabrielle Verbergt, Karl Haikola, Martin Kristoffer Hamre
- Institutions:
- Lund University, Freie Universität Berlin, Aalborg University, Ghent University Hospital
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-22
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash · Unsplash License
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