Retreat or Resolution?

Although higher education in the UK has expanded opportunities for much of the population, in many ways it remains stubbornly elitist.

In order to address this crisis in education, Peter Scott, a leading expert and unique voice, examines the development of mass higher education and proposes a 'radical escape-forward'. He calls for more robust action to secure fair access at all levels and changes in the governance and management at both system and institutional levels to ensure more democratic accountability.

Setting out a clear and radical programme for reform, this book makes an important contribution to current debates in education in the context of the evolution of the UK economy and wider society.

“"You could read Retreat or Revolution as a history book - a successful and readable one... But for me a short coda is the heart of the book - an exploration of higher education yet to come." Wonkhe”

“You could read Retreat or Revolution as a history book – a successful and readable one… But for me a short coda is the heart of the book – an exploration of higher education yet to come.” Wonkhe

"A multi-faceted book which provides multi-faceted contributions for a multi-faceted public." Minerva

"All are brilliantly summarised in Retreat or resolution? But to present the issues as solely national in relevance would be to sell the book short. Its arguments about the ambiguities and dilemmas of mass higher education have a larger worldwide resonance.” Higher Education

Peter Scott is (Emeritus) Professor of Higher Education at the UCL Institute of Education. He has worked as a journalist and an academic and is currently Commissioner for Fair Access for the Scottish Government. Former Vice-Chancellor of Kingston University. Peter Scott was knighted in 2007 for services to education.

Peter Scott examines the development of mass higher education and calls for robust action to secure fair access at all levels and changes in the governance and management at both system and institutional levels to ensure more democratic accountability. Although higher education in the UK has expanded opportunities for much of the population, in many ways it remains stubbornly elitist. In order to address this crisis in education, Peter Scott, a leading expert and unique voice, examines the development of mass higher education and proposes a 'radical escape-forward'. He calls for more robust action to secure fair access at all levels and changes in the governance and management at both system and institutional levels to ensure more democratic accountability. Setting out a clear and radical programme for reform, this book makes an important contribution to current debates in education in the context of the evolution of the UK economy and wider society.

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