SHOW NOTES
How do we measure what it means to be a quality college or university in today’s competitive global landscape? Student-level data and information is one thing, but looking at entire systems–especially complex ecosystems like universities--is quite another. Enter rankings, arguably a set of objective criteria and metrics on which students base their decisions and by which institutions are judged. But rankings are much more than just a metric: they reflect our philosophies and beliefs about what matters in a university education.
This episode's guest is Phil Baty, an expert who has been immersed in these sorts of institutional metrics for most of his career, helping shape and expand the Times Higher Ed World University Rankings. Phil is an international authority on university performance and strategy, with more than 25 years of experience in global higher education, including a decade as editor of the prestigious rankings. But Phil’s work at THE goes much beyond rankings, and includes leading major summits and thought leadership activities that engage university leaders, academics, business executives and policymakers. He has been listed as one of the top 15 “most influential” in education and is described as “one of the most powerful commentators, and arguably policy actors, on higher education.” He is also an award-winning journalist, and writes regularly on global higher education issues.
Episode Themes
The growth and regional expansion of the THE World Rankings
Why it is important to measure the global and social impact of universities and what role the SDGs play
Even though they often come under attack, Phil presents four compelling arguments for the value of rankings
What the merger and collaboration of THE and Inside Higher Education means for the field of international higher education
How Phil’s early experiences in the West Bank, Pakistan and Afghanistan inspired his international career in journalism
Phil’s personal journey as a first-generation college student, and the importance of increasing access and inclusion for students from all backgrounds
Links to resources from this episode
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
Follow Phil Baty on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
Be sure to check out these other resources!
My book: America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility
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