The democratization of Danish higher education: Causes, responses and adaptations

✍ Scribed by John S. Whitehead

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 868 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0018-1560
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00155653

✦ Synopsis

In the early 1970s the Danish Parliament passed legislation which radically altered the governing structure of Danish universities. Professorial rule was abolished and replaced by democratically elected boards and councils composed of students, faculty, and technical and administrative personel. This new governing structure has now been in place for over a decade.

This article describes the causes that brought about the legislation and then analyzes the ways in which Danish academics have responded and adapted to the new system. It points to the problems which have arisen in reconciling the governing structure within each institution to the need for national educational planning and co-ordination. The research, which is based on a series of three interview trips over a five year period, emphasizes the interpersonal aspects of the causes, responses and adaptations to democratization.