Luzia Ferreira Santos

Our presentation combines the findings of a thematic analysis of expert interviews with heads of international offices with the result of a document analysis of internationalization and digitalization strategies of German higher education institutions. We address two main questions: First, what are the main objectives of virtualizing higher education internationalization? And second, how can those objectives be linked to multiple factors that shape actions, strategies and outcomes of higher education governance? We focus mainly on competition and values-based governance. Both aspects are connected to expectations and practical challenges for the management of the internationalization of higher education.

In this poster presentation, I shared my ongoing dissertation project investigating a Joint Degree Program (JDP) between a German and a Brazilian higher education institution. Drawing on Decolonial theorists and Schimank’s Actor Constellation Theory, the research questions examine the perspectives of management on the role of North-South international higher education partnerships in shaping strategic goals, the perceived challenges, institutional responses, as well as the environmental and organizational conditions that influence the operation of the selected case.

The poster presentation was aimed at sharing new insights gained into my dissertation projects following a week of exchanges and reflections around the topics of decoloniality and democratization of research practice.

Our presentation combines the findings of a content analysis of expert interviews with heads of international offices with the result of a document analysis of internationalization and digitalization strategies of German higher education institutions. We address two main questions: First, what are the main objectives of virtualizing higher education internationalization? And second, how can those objectives be linked to multiple factors that shape actions, strategies and outcomes of higher education governance? We focus mainly on competition and values-based governance. Both aspects are connected to expectations and practical challenges for the management of internationalization of higher education.

Based on a multimodal understanding of governance in German higher education, we aim to investigate the multiple objectives and factors that shape the digitalization of higher education internationalization. We find that while values-based and competition-related approaches often motivate higher education institutions to embrace digitalization; the implementation is rather shaped by hierarchy and collegial governance factors. We suggest understanding digitalization as a comprehensive approach intertwined with all levels and modes of governance in higher education.

The poster presentation at the DZHW/LCSS Conference 2023 aimed at sharing the findings of a scoping review conducted in the context of the project Internationalization in the Digital Transformation – INDISTRA. The study reviews international scientific literature on the intersections between COVID-driven digitalization and the internationalization strategies of higher education institutions. The focus lies on teaching and learning, cooperation, support structures, and leadership processes.

The poster presentation at the CHER Conference 2023 aimed at sharing the findings of a scoping review conducted in the context of the project Internationalization in the Digital Transformation – INDISTRA. The study reviews international scientific literature on the intersections between COVID-driven digitization and the internationalization strategies of higher education institutions. The focus lies on teaching and learning, cooperation, support structures, and leadership processes.

The scoping review conducted in the context of the project Internationalization in the Digital Transformation – INDISTRA, analyses 45 scientific journal articles published in English between June 2017 and June 2022. The study draws on international scientific literature to trace the evidence available on the intersections between covid-driven digitization and its systematic integration into the internationalization strategies of higher education institutions. The focus of the scoping review lies on teaching and learning, cooperation, administration, and decision-making processes.

In the field of internationalization of higher education, the establishment of joint programs is described as 'particularly problematic', due to the strong coordination efforts required. Yet, in a context of growing internationalization and digitalization, the online delivery of such programs is 'not only possible but desirable' (Joughin et al., 2022, p.829). At the HERSS Summer School, I discussed the prospects of investigating the setting up and implementation of digitally assisted-joint programs between German and Brazilian universities as the thematic focus of my Ph.D. research.

The resurgence of all sorts of anti-globalization movements has produced huge repercussions in society, and institutions of higher education alike ( (Brøgger, 2021; Brooks, 2022; Habib, 2022; van der Vende, 2021). Knowing that the future of higher education internalization relies strongly on the way countries’ cross-border exchange will evolve (Lee, 2021), my participation in the Course The New geopolitics of Higher Education was aimed at reflecting on the research questions guiding the INDISTRA project (Internationalization and the Digital Transformation) in the light of current geopolitical debates; in particular, how the rise of neo-nationalisms is shaping new discourses and practices in higher education.