Back to the future? The Academic Professions in the 21st Century

Abstract : This chapter addresses the impact of changes in higher education on the academic profession in the past, present and possible future. We start by arguing that the growth of the academic profession implied increased differentiation. We then examine the ongoing transformation of working and employment conditions in the academic workplace, which challenges its traditional power structure. Finally we look at the restructuring of the international academic community. One of our conclusions is that demographic changes are likely to play a minor role in the reshaping of the academic profession.