Sustainable Pedagogical Research in Higher Education The Political, Institutional and Financial Challenges

Considering both the theoretical and practical possibilities of the sustainability of higher education research in a world in which research budgets are often hard to secure, this book shares results from international research to demonstrate the innovation occurring to secure sustainable research funding.

Rooted in diverse research experiences and reflections of academics and higher education institutional leaders, this book explores ways to promote and sustain pedagogical innovation in the higher education context. Beginning with an analysis of theoretical views from political, institutional and research practice spheres about the relevance of sustainability of educational research in higher education, it considers the need to promote educational research focused on pedagogical innovations in higher education. The second part of the book addresses practical experiences of funded educational research and offers guidance to assure the future of sustainable pedagogical interventions.

This book is ideal reading for anyone interested in the role of sustainable funding in ensuring the future of higher education research, including researchers and postgraduate or undergraduate students who are researching or interested in the topic. It will also be of interest to senior institutional leaders and managers responsible for educational development in higher education.

Part 1. Painting the Picture of the Sustainability of Pedagogical Innovations in Higher Education: Political and Institutional Actions for Agendas. 1. Educational research sustainability in higher education: Reflections on the concept, factors and actions for its enhancement. 2. Funded higher educational research: Sustainable and influential? 3. Does ‘programmification’ foresee the sustainability of research results? Discussing the effects of thematic national programmes in pedagogical innovation in higher education. 4. Addressing societal issues: Need for a new university culture and a transformation of academic practices. Part 2. Innovative Practices In Higher Education In The Context Of Funded Research Projects: Opportunities For Research Sustainability. 5. Making the impact of discipline-based educational research and scholarship more sustainable: Opportunities for innovation and leadership. 6. Bringing pedagogical innovation into the university campus: Promoting students' critical thinking and teachers' practices. 7. How to encourage critical thinking using social media in higher education. 8. Innovation in science teacher education: (Re)building future teachers’ conceptions and practices. 9. Professional development of higher education teachers: An agenda for its sustainability in Brazil and Portugal. Final considerations – Contribution of the book for future directions to advance the sustainability of pedagogical research and practice.

Cecília Guerra is a researcher at the Research Center for Didactics and Technology in the Education of Trainers (CIDTFF), at the Department of Education and Psychology at University of Aveiro, Portugal.

Amanda Franco is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Research Center for Didactics and Technology in the Education of Trainers (CIDTFF), at University of Aveiro, Portugal.

Mónica Seabra is a Ph.D candidate in Education at the Research Center for Didactics and Technology in the Education of Trainers (CIDTFF), at University of Aveiro, Portugal.