definition for: #FHECritique

Critical Approaches to Higher Education Studies ? Within Finland From the outside, looking in, things have never been better in Finnish society, in general and Finnish education, in particular. A quick glance at international media, scholarship and travel will reveal a plethora of plaudits concerning the quality of life in one of the few remaining strong social democracies which boasts excellent gender equality and one of the world?s most formidable education systems, including tuition-free higher education. The outside world seems keen to hear ?lessons from Finland? and an annual pilgrimage of ?PISA Tourists? crosses our borders to ?learn the secrets of Finnish success,? especially those they might apply within their own societies and educational systems. However, from the inside, looking around, the ?answers? given by Finnish ?experts? regarding Finnish society and education are sometimes more revealing in terms of unquestioned assumptions, topics which are studiously avoided, altogether missed or conveniently ignored. There are exceptions to constructive and critical points of departure which problematize the most important challenges to Finnish higher education. The purpose of this session is to provide a forum for critical and constructive scholarship, whose aim is ? ultimately ? to survive international-level peer review regarding challenges that have escaped notice at the lower levels of abstraction where the uncritical valorization of Finnish culture, society and education remains both comfortable and unproblematic.