The issue of theories and methods in higher education research has been discussed for some time now. Earlier accounts have been mostly critical. Though the editors share this criticism, they also see promising perspectives. In their opinion higher education research can be seen as a space of opportunities, which is particularly well suited for allowing fruitful interactions with other research areas and society at large. Such interactions can lead to theory development and methodological advancements that might have an impact not only in higher education research, but in other research areas as well as society. The example of early organisation theory shows that such broader impact is possible. At the end of the introduction, current and future perspectives are mentioned.

The issue contains:

Theories and methods in higher education research – a space of opportunities by Georg Krücken, Shweta Mishra & Tim Seidenschnur
Does higher education research have a theory deficit? Explorations on theory work by Julian Hamann & Anna Kosmützky
The actorhood imperative. On universities as organisational actors by Roland Bloch
Exploring the ways of studying academic identity as a dynamic discursive performance: the use of diary as a method by Sanja Djerasimovic
Reflecting on the value of vignettes in higher education research: toward a preliminary typology to guide future usage by Lisa Jasinski, Terhi Nokkala & Henna Juusola

www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21568235.2021.2004905