The World of Higher Education
The World of Higher Education is dedicated to exploring developments in higher education from a global perspective. Join host, Alex Usher of Higher Education Strategy Associates, as he speaks with new guests each week from different countries discussing developments in their regions.
Produced by Tiffany MacLennan and Samantha Pufek.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 25 minutes
- Episodes
- 88
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
From Funding Formulas to AI: Pedro Teixeira on Higher Education’s Next Challenges
In this episode, Alex Usher speaks with Pedro Teixeira—higher education scholar at the University of Porto and former Portuguese Secretary of State for Higher Education—about reforming university fun…
The Year the Money Ran Out: Global Higher Ed Review
In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, co-producer, Tiffany MacLennan is our host and Alex Usher takes a turn in the question seat. Together, they review the most significant globa…
Cut, Coerce, Control: What Trump Is Doing to U.S. Universities
In this episode of The World of Higher Education Podcast, Alex Usher discusses the Trump administration's unprecedented actions against science and universities. Billions of dollars in funding from t…
Opening January 2026: Inside One of the Biggest University Mergers in Australia
In this episode of The World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher discusses the historic merger of two major Australian universities—the University of Adelaide and the University of South Aus…
Incremental Change or System Overhaul? An Update on Higher Ed Reform in NZ with Roger Smyth
Join Alex Usher in the latest episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast as he discusses the hyperactive state of New Zealand's higher education policy with Roger Smyth, a former senior New Zea…
Between Excellence and Relevance: The Regional University Dilemma
In this episode of The World of Higher Education Podcast, Alex Usher is joined by Dr. Romulo Pinheiro, a professor at the University of Agder, Norway. They discuss the evolving role of universities i…
Banking on Human Capital: How RBC Sees the Future of Talent, Innovation, and the Role of Post-Secondary Institutions
Join Alex Usher on the World of Higher Education Podcast as he delves into the future of Canadian higher education amidst economic shifts with guest John Stackhouse, Senior Vice President at the Roya…
Lean, Global, and Tuition-Free: The University of the People Model
Join host Alex Usher in the World of Higher Education Podcast as he interviews Shai Reshef, Founder and President of University of the People. Discover how this online institution serves 150,000 stud…
Overskilled and Underused? What PIAAC Reveals About the Canadian Workforce
In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher delves into a discussion about the Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) with guest Noel Baldwin…
Innovation Without Borders: Galileo’s Networked Approach to Better Higher Education System
In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher talks with Nicolas Badré, Chief Operating Officer of Galileo Global Education, about the rise of private higher education in …
“Anything Can Be Done With Anything”: Innovative Universities with Dara Melnyk
In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher delves into the nuances of innovation in universities with guest Dara Melnyk. They discuss the catalysts for innovation in hi…
The Learning Centred University with Steven Mintz
In this interview, Alex speaks with Steven Mintz, a renowned scholar and postdoctoral researcher, and author of the book, "The Learning-Centered University: Making College a More Developmental, Trans…
From Soviet Influence to Market Economy: Mongolia’s Higher Education Journey
In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher interviews Dendev Badarch, a professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, about the evolution and current…
Connecting Universities in a Divided World: International Association of Universities’ Mission
Join Alex Usher in this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast where he chats with Hilligje van 't Land, Secretary General of the International Association of Universities (IAU). They delve…
Why Boycott? Maya Wind on the Case Against Israeli Universities
In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher engages with Maya Wind, postdoctoral scholar at UC Riverside, to discuss her book 'Towers of Ivory and Steel: How Israeli Uni…
Students on the Frontlines: The Ongoing Protests in Serbia with Jim Dickinson
In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, to discuss the significant role of student movements in Serbian polit…
Data, Decisions, and Disruptions: Inside the World of University Rankings
In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Duncan Ross, former Chief Data Officer of Times Higher Education Rankings. Duncan shares his journey from the te…
The Great Brain Race, 15 years later with Ben Wildavsky
Join Alex Usher on the World of Higher Education podcast as he revisits 'The Great Brain Race' with author Ben Wildavsky. They explore the book's thesis on globalization in higher education, the tren…
Colombia's Higher Ed Utopia or Illusion? Insights with Javier Botero
In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Javier Botero, a lead consultant at the World Bank and former Vice Minister of Higher Education in Colombia. The…
The Governance of European Higher Education: Convergence or Divergence? with Michael Shattock
In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher sits down with Michael Shattock to discuss the complexities of university governance across Europe. The discussion covers the…