Engaging in Enhancement: Implications of Participatory Approaches in Higher Education Quality Assurance

Abstract

Stemming from increased levels of participation and diversity of the student base and from growing scrutiny on the quality of university degrees, governments have begun establishing mechanisms to monitor and support quality in higher education. Faced with administrative quality assurance structures, academics often complain that little is discussed in terms of collaborative effort toward program opportunities, enhancement, and growth and that focus is solely on accountability. This paper examines the viability of participatory approaches, pulled from the field of evaluation, as a way of leading to a more meaningful enhancement-oriented quality assurance process and creating common ground across the differing interests of external and internal stakeholders to quality in higher education.