African Minds — 2024
My open-access book on the local, national and international roles of Africa’s large, public universities was published by African Minds, a Cape Town-based academic press, in September 2024.
It includes a foreword by Professor Goolam Mohamedbhai, former president of the International Association of Universities and former secretary general of the Association of African Universities.
Although focused on Africa, the lessons on balancing excellence and relevance are applicable for university leaders and policymakers worldwide who are seeking to enhance their institution’s societal impact.
By offering a nuanced and evidence-based analysis, Ransom makes a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on the role of universities in African development.
— Professor Samuel Amponsah, University of Ghana
By unpacking the complexities of African development and the role of universities within it, this book provides invaluable knowledge for policymakers, university leaders, and development practitioners alike.
— Professor Goolam Mohamedbhai, Former secretary general of the Association of African Universities
Coverage
There’s a summary article in The Conversation, and a review in Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education. The book builds on my PhD at UCL Institute of Education, looking at the roles of universities in cities in Africa.
Related: Pathways to Engagement at the University of Rwanda: Pressures, Relevance and Alignment — 2024
I also have a recent working paper on engagement activity at the University of Rwanda published by the Centre for Global Higher Education at the University of Oxford.
