Capitalising the future of higher education: Investors in education technology and the case of Emerge Education

Janja Komljenovic*, Ben Williamson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to document and conceptualise the influence of new investment actors in higher education transformation. Digital education technology is rapidly expanding in higher education and profoundly changing teaching and learning processes, management of higher education institutions, and subjectivities of staff and students. We argue that investors are crucial actors in digitalising higher education by deciding which products and services will be developed and influencing the business models behind those products. In this chapter, we empirically focus on Emerge Education, a UK-based seed investor. It has already penetrated the higher education sector by investing in a portfolio of digital products and services, partnering with key organisations and stakeholders, creating guidelines targeted at university leaders, and offering advice to education startup entrepreneurs. By mobilising theoretical and methodological resources from the sociology of markets and critical data studies, the chapter presents an analysis of Emerge Education as an exemplar of how new education technology investors are seeking to transform higher education via digitalisation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearch Handbook on the Transformation of Higher Education
EditorsLiudvika Leišytė, Jay R. Dee, Barend J.R. van der Meulen
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Chapter14
Pages207-221
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781800378216
ISBN (Print)9781800378209
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jul 2023

Publication series

NameElgar Handbooks in Education
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • education technology
  • investment
  • emerge education
  • value
  • future

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