European Higher Education Area: The Impact of Past and Future Policies

This volume presents the major outcomes of the third edition of the Future of Higher Education – Bologna Process Researchers Conference (FOHE-BPRC 3) which was held on 27-29 November 2017. It acknowledges the importance of a continued dialogue between researchers and decision-makers and benefits from the experience already acquired, this way enabling the higher education community to bring its input into the 2018-2020  European Higher Education Area (EHEA) priorities.

The Future of Higher Education – Bologna Process Researchers Conference (FOHE-BPRC) has already established itself as a landmark in the European higher education environment. The two previous editions (17-19 October 2011, 24-26 November 2014), with approximately 200 European and international participants each, covering more than 50 countries each, were organized prior to the Ministerial Conferences, thus encouraging a consistent dialogue between researchers and policy makers. The main conclusions of the FOHE Conferences were presented at the EHEA Ministerial Conferences (2012 and 2015), in order to make the voice of researchers better heard by European policy and decision makers.

This volume is dedicated to continuing the collection of evidence and research-based policymaking and further narrowing the gap between policy and research within the EHEA and broader global contexts. It aims to identify the research areas that require more attention prior to the anniversary 2020 EHEA Ministerial Conference, with an emphasis on the new issues on rise in the academic and educational community. This book gives a platform for discussion on key issues between researchers, various direct higher education actors, decision-makers, and the wider public. 

This book is published under an open access CC BY license. 

Adrian Curaj is a former minister of education, science and innovation in Romania.

He is the head of the UNESCO Chair on Science and Innovation Policies at the National University of Political Sciences and Public Administration and professor at the Politehnica University of Bucharest.

Adrian Curaj has been working as a consultant with World Bank, UNESCO, UNIDO, ETF and EC for studies in Tertiary Education, Science and Innovation, and Foresight. He has been actively involved as project leader, country or group leader and expert in many research projects (including FP7, H 2020, SEE & INTERREG), and published papers and books, most of them in foresight, higher education as well as science and innovation policies. He has been the initiator and co-chair of the Bologna Process Researchers Conferences (2011, 2014, 2017).

Adrian Curaj was member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Fulbright Commission in Romania and the Romanian representative at the Bologna Follow-Up Group.  Also, professor Curaj is a fellow to the World Academy of Art & Science (WAAS).

Ligia Deca is State Adviser at the Romanian Presidential Administration with responsibilities in the field of education and research, and coordinator of the “Educated Romania” Project. She holds a doctorate in Political Science at the University of Luxembourg and has authored several papers and studies in the field of educational policies. She was the Head of the Bologna Process Secretariat (2010-2012), the international body responsible with the implementation of the Bologna Process within the EHEA member states and the preparation of the Ministerial Conference (that was organized in Bucharest, in April 2012). She has also coordinated the International Conference „Future of Higher Education – Bologna Process Researchers Conference” in 2011 and 2014. In the period of 2008-2010 Ligia Deca was the Chairperson of the European Students’ Union,thus representing for two consecutive mandates the interests of 11 million students from 37 states. Previously, she coordinated the Coalition of Clean Universities (a project targeting to promote good governance within the Romanian HEIs).

Prof. Remus Pricopie, PhD, is the rector of the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) and former Romanian Minister of National Education. His activity within the Romanian Ministry of National Education began in 1996, and includes positions such as Spokesperson, Secretary General, and Deputy Minister – (Secretary of State) for Higher Education, International Relations and Teacher Training. Dr. Pricopie is also professor of public relations and public communication at the National University of Political Science and Public Administration in Bucharest (SNSPA). He has been elected rector of the SNSPA in March 2012, a position he occupied until he was appointed minister of education.

Professor Pricopie has a PhD in Political Science at the SNSPA and he is a Millennium Fulbright alumnus. His educational background includes a rich international experience especially in the United States of America and the European Union. Dr. Remus Pricopie has been Chair of the Task Force on Fostering and Building Human Capital (FBHC) of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)and President of the Board of Directors of the Romanian-US Fulbright Commission, to name just a few of the significant activities of representation he carried out during his professional career.

The activity of Dr. Remus Pricopie encompasses trans-disciplinary research in the areas of higher education management, internationalization of higher education, public communication, public participation and collaborative public management. As a result of his research, professor Pricopie has published several books, book chapters and over 40 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, in the areas of interest.