Australian Higher Education Reform: A Reflexive Modernisation Perspective

Abstract

Globalisation is a major force driving the many profound changes occurring in policy-making in Australia.The far-reaching and deep transformations in the social, economic, political and cultural fabric brought about by globalisation are usefully conceptualised in the theory of reflexive modernisation. This aim of this paper is to use the reflexive modernisation thesis to examine the Nelson reform agenda for Australian higher education. The Nelson reforms are an intensification of a process begun in the 1980s that is opening the sector to competition, privatisation and marketisation. The trends identified have significant implications in that the Australian higher education sector is being fundamentally transformed, calling into question the nature and role of universities.