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Future of Universities: Reports and resources
For those looking at university futures, we have compiled some of the more interesting and useful recent free, no registration reports available on the future of universities.
| Report Name | Organisation | Pub Date | Geography | Pages | Overview |
| The Future(s) of Public Higher Education | Deloitte Center for Higher Education Excellence | 2018 | US | 36 | This study details 5 models for public higher education in the United States that balance change with the preservation of the ineffable qualities that make higher education more than just a place to learn a trade. |
| The Future of Universities Thoughtbook | University Industry Innovation Network | 2018 | Global | 175 | 40 perspectives on how engaged and entrepreneurial universities will drive growth and shape our knowledge-driven future until 2040. |
| The Transformation-Ready Higher Education Institution | Huron, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Georgia Institute of Technology | 2019 | US | 26 | The intent of this research is to provide a candid view into how higher education leaders are addressing disruption. Together, Huron, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Georgia Institute of Technology surveyed 495 leaders at four-year, nonprofit colleges and universities to understand areas of opportunity and concern, and how they are preparing for future change. |
| University of the Future Bringing Education 4.0 to life | EY | October 2018 | Global | 46 | The report discusses how Education 4.0 is transforming higher education and how its ecosystem will be driven by 4 key levers: employability, student experience, research excellence, and society. |
| Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education | The Learning House Inc. | 2018 | Global | 31 | This report explores some of the immediate and future applications of AI in higher education, and how AI is currently impacting four key areas in higher education: student acquisition, learning and instruction, student affairs, and institutional efficiency. |
| 2020 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report | EDUCAUSE Publications | March 2020 | Global | 58 | The report identifies the top 6 most important emerging technologies and practices in higher education: Adaptive Learning Technologies, AI/Machine Learning Education Applications, Analytics for Student Success, Elevation of Instructional Design, Learning Engineering, and UX Design in Pedagogy, Open Educational Resources, and XR (AR/VR/MR/Haptic) Technologies. |
| Campus of the Future | Arup Foresight, Research and Innovation | June 2018 | UK | 60 | Students used foresight techniques to explore, visualise, and investigate three future campuses developed for three sites in London: Imperial West, London College of Communication, and London College of Fashion. |
| Future Skills – The Future of Learning and Higher Education International Delphi Survey | Next Education | March 2019 | Global | 69 | The report offers a nine-step recommendation for future higher education strategies and presents 4 scenarios in the future of higher education: The “Future Skill” University Scenario, The Networked, Multi-Institutional Study Scenario, The “My-University” Scenario, and The Lifelong Higher Learning Scenario. |
| Rethinking Future Higher Education | European Business Review | February 2019 | Global | 18 | This article elaborates on a lifetime education model that is proposed to be based on four pillars: Learning, relearning, and unlearning; Research, search, exploration, discovery and design; Development; and Deployment. |
| Educ-AI-tion Rebooted? Exploring the future of artificial intelligence in schools and colleges | Nesta | February 2019 | UK | 56 | Part 1 explores ‘AI and Education Today’, outlining the range of tools used in schools and colleges now, and the major challenges which AIEd is positioned to address. Part 2 looks to the future, outlining actions we can take now to ensure that we maximise the benefit and minimise the risk of AIEd. |
| Future University | W.I.R.E (Web for Interdisciplinary Research and Expertise) | June 2018 | Global | 5 | An analysis of the higher education landscape that identifies 8 drivers of change: medialisation, democratisation, individualisation, globalisation, aging, flexibilisation, digitalisation, and economisation. |
| Opportunity for Higher Education in the Era of the Talent Economy | Pearson | September 2019 | Global | 26 | The report identifies three big learner-centric principles that will underpin the future of post-secondary education: continuous learning, distributing investment in learning, and developing outcomesbased learning. |
| The Future of Education | Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education | May 2019 | US | 23 | The report outlines the trends and signals of change that are present in Silicon Valley within education, and specifically higher education. The report highlights two trends: Unbundling and Changing demands. |
| Education in 2030: Five Scenarios for the Future of Learning and Talent | Holon IQ | June 2018 | Global | 61 | The report discusses five global scenarios for the future of learning and talent: education-as-usual, regional rising, global giants, peer-to-peer, and robo revolution. |
| Universities of the Future: State of Maturity Report | Universities of the Future | 2019 | Europe | 66 | Based on a literature review and 30 interviews of industry representatives and experts in the field, this report discusses the skills required for succeeding in the Industry 4.0 environment. In addition, the report examines the national Industry 4.0 state-of-maturity in Finland, Poland and Portugal. |
| Report Name |
| The Future(s) of Public Higher Education |
| Organisation |
| Deloitte Center for Higher Education Excellence |
| Pub Date |
| 2018 |
| Geography |
| US |
| Pages |
| 36 |
| Overview |
| This study details 5 models for public higher education in the United States that balance change with the preservation of the ineffable qualities that make higher education more than just a place to learn a trade. |
| Report Name |
| The Future of Universities Thoughtbook |
| Organisation |
| University Industry Innovation Network |
| Pub Date |
| 2018 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 175 |
| Overview |
| 40 perspectives on how engaged and entrepreneurial universities will drive growth and shape our knowledge-driven future until 2040. |
| Report Name |
| The Transformation-Ready Higher Education Institution |
| Organisation |
| Huron, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Pub Date |
| 2019 |
| Geography |
| US |
| Pages |
| 26 |
| Overview |
| The intent of this research is to provide a candid view into how higher education leaders are addressing disruption. Together, Huron, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Georgia Institute of Technology surveyed 495 leaders at four-year, nonprofit colleges and universities to understand areas of opportunity and concern, and how they are preparing for future change. |
| Report Name |
| University of the Future Bringing Education 4.0 to life |
| Organisation |
| EY |
| Pub Date |
| October 2018 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 46 |
| Overview |
| The report discusses how Education 4.0 is transforming higher education and how its ecosystem will be driven by 4 key levers: employability, student experience, research excellence, and society. |
| Report Name |
| Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education |
| Organisation |
| The Learning House Inc. |
| Pub Date |
| 2018 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 31 |
| Overview |
| This report explores some of the immediate and future applications of AI in higher education, and how AI is currently impacting four key areas in higher education: student acquisition, learning and instruction, student affairs, and institutional efficiency. |
| Report Name |
| 2020 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report |
| Organisation |
| EDUCAUSE Publications |
| Pub Date |
| March 2020 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 58 |
| Overview |
| The report identifies the top 6 most important emerging technologies and practices in higher education: Adaptive Learning Technologies, AI/Machine Learning Education Applications, Analytics for Student Success, Elevation of Instructional Design, Learning Engineering, and UX Design in Pedagogy, Open Educational Resources, and XR (AR/VR/MR/Haptic) Technologies. |
| Report Name |
| Campus of the Future |
| Organisation |
| Arup Foresight, Research and Innovation |
| Pub Date |
| June 2018 |
| Geography |
| UK |
| Pages |
| 60 |
| Overview |
| Students used foresight techniques to explore, visualise, and investigate three future campuses developed for three sites in London: Imperial West, London College of Communication, and London College of Fashion. |
| Report Name |
| Future Skills – The Future of Learning and Higher Education International Delphi Survey |
| Organisation |
| Next Education |
| Pub Date |
| March 2019 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 69 |
| Overview |
| The report offers a nine-step recommendation for future higher education strategies and presents 4 scenarios in the future of higher education: The “Future Skill” University Scenario, The Networked, Multi-Institutional Study Scenario, The “My-University” Scenario, and The Lifelong Higher Learning Scenario. |
| Report Name |
| Rethinking Future Higher Education |
| Organisation |
| European Business Review |
| Pub Date |
| February 2019 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 18 |
| Overview |
| This article elaborates on a lifetime education model that is proposed to be based on four pillars: Learning, relearning, and unlearning; Research, search, exploration, discovery and design; Development; and Deployment. |
| Report Name |
| Educ-AI-tion Rebooted? Exploring the future of artificial intelligence in schools and colleges |
| Organisation |
| Nesta |
| Pub Date |
| February 2019 |
| Geography |
| UK |
| Pages |
| 56 |
| Overview |
| Part 1 explores ‘AI and Education Today’, outlining the range of tools used in schools and colleges now, and the major challenges which AIEd is positioned to address. Part 2 looks to the future, outlining actions we can take now to ensure that we maximise the benefit and minimise the risk of AIEd. |
| Report Name |
| Future University |
| Organisation |
| W.I.R.E (Web for Interdisciplinary Research and Expertise) |
| Pub Date |
| June 2018 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 5 |
| Overview |
| An analysis of the higher education landscape that identifies 8 drivers of change: medialisation, democratisation, individualisation, globalisation, aging, flexibilisation, digitalisation, and economisation. |
| Report Name |
| Opportunity for Higher Education in the Era of the Talent Economy |
| Organisation |
| Pearson |
| Pub Date |
| September 2019 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 26 |
| Overview |
| The report identifies three big learner-centric principles that will underpin the future of post-secondary education: continuous learning, distributing investment in learning, and developing outcomesbased learning. |
| Report Name |
| The Future of Education |
| Organisation |
| Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education |
| Pub Date |
| May 2019 |
| Geography |
| US |
| Pages |
| 23 |
| Overview |
| The report outlines the trends and signals of change that are present in Silicon Valley within education, and specifically higher education. The report highlights two trends: Unbundling and Changing demands. |
| Report Name |
| Education in 2030: Five Scenarios for the Future of Learning and Talent |
| Organisation |
| Holon IQ |
| Pub Date |
| June 2018 |
| Geography |
| Global |
| Pages |
| 61 |
| Overview |
| The report discusses five global scenarios for the future of learning and talent: education-as-usual, regional rising, global giants, peer-to-peer, and robo revolution. |
| Report Name |
| Universities of the Future: State of Maturity Report |
| Organisation |
| Universities of the Future |
| Pub Date |
| 2019 |
| Geography |
| Europe |
| Pages |
| 66 |
| Overview |
| Based on a literature review and 30 interviews of industry representatives and experts in the field, this report discusses the skills required for succeeding in the Industry 4.0 environment. In addition, the report examines the national Industry 4.0 state-of-maturity in Finland, Poland and Portugal. |
