The ebb and flow of educational change: Change agents as negotiators of change

Cormac McGrath; Linda Barman; Terese Stenfors-Hayes; Torgny Roxå; Charlotte Silén; Klara Bolander Laksov

doi:10.20343/teachlearninqu.4.2.9

Authors

Cormac McGrath Karolinska Institutet
Linda Barman Karolinska Institutet
Terese Stenfors-Hayes Karolinska Institutet
Torgny Roxå Lund University
Charlotte Silén Karolinska Institutet
Klara Bolander Laksov Karolinska Institutet

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.4.2.9

Keywords:

Change Agents, Capacity Building, Change Process Prescriptions (CPP), Resistance, Negotiation

Abstract

In this paper, we are concerned with how change agents go about and experience change implementation in higher education. We identified change agents and interviewed them about how they implement change. Empirical data was analysed using a theoretical framework of change. The findings suggest that change in the university is enacted through a process of negotiation. The findings of this study may offer academic developers, pedagogical leaders, and change agents insight into the complex nature of the change process and inform change agents as to the complex nature and importance of their role.

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Author Biographies

Cormac McGrath, Karolinska Institutet

Cormac McGrath is assistant lecturer and researcher at the Karolinska Institutet.

Linda Barman, Karolinska Institutet

Linda Barman is a university teacher and educational developer at the School of Communication and Learning in Engineering Science at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.

Terese Stenfors-Hayes, Karolinska Institutet

Terese Stenfors-Hayes is Director of the Unit for Evaluation at the department of Learning, Informatics, Management, and Ethics at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

Torgny Roxå, Lund University

Torgny Roxå serves as academic developer at the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University in Sweden since 1988. His focus is Strategic Educational Development using a socio-cultural approach.

Charlotte Silén, Karolinska Institutet

Charlotte Silén is an associate professor in Medical Education and director of a Master’s programme in Medical Education with experience in faculty and educational development within higher education.

Klara Bolander Laksov, Karolinska Institutet

Klara Bolander Laksov is an associate professor and director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the department of Education at Stockholm University, and associate professor at the department of Learning, Informatics, Management, and Ethics at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

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