Publications
The IAU offers a series of publications of interest to the higher education community. It also speaks out by developing and adopting policy papers and contributing to international debates on higher education by publishing papers on a variety of issues in journals, magazines and by contributing book chapters to key publications around the world.
Global Survey Series
The IAU Survey Series is a flagship initiative of the International Association of Universities (IAU) that gathers global data on key trends and developments in higher education. Conducted regularly, these surveys provide comprehensive insights into internationalization, sustainable development, and digital transformation. The findings inform policy dialogue and support evidence-based decision-making among higher education stakeholders worldwide.
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In 2024, the IAU published the report of the 6th Global Survey on the Internationalization of Higher Education: The Future of Internationalization of Higher Education. Global Surveys are flagship IAU publications for the strategic priority on Internationalization. The IAU has produced six Global Surveys on Internationalization to date (2003, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2024), and the reports of the surveys are of seminal importance in the internationalization of higher education. The survey has grown in breadth and detail over the years and is often cited by researchers, experts in the field, and higher education media. Learn more here.
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Under the Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) priority area, the IAU conducts comprehensive global surveys on HESD, serving as a cornerstone for understanding and advancing sustainable practices in higher education worldwide. These surveys delve into diverse aspects of sustainability within educational institutions, capturing insights on curriculum integration, institutional policies, and community engagement initiatives. Through rigorous data collection and analysis, the IAU's global surveys offer invaluable insights into the current landscape of HESD, informing strategic decision-making and fostering collaborative efforts towards a more sustainable future for higher education institutions globally. Learn more here.
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As part of its strategic priority on Digital Transformation, the IAU conducts global surveys to monitor how technology is reshaping higher education. The first survey, conducted in 2018–2019, led to the 2020 report Higher Education in the Digital Era, offering a baseline just before the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital change. Building on this foundation, the second Global Survey on Digital Transformation was launched in 2024 to capture how institutions are responding to rapid technological change—from leveraging digital tools in teaching and learning to navigating generative AI, cybersecurity, and Open Science. These surveys provide critical insights into how digital transformation is reshaping higher education globally, and contribute to informed policy and institutional decision-making. Learn more here.
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From 2020-2021, the IAU monitored the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Higher Education. Two global surveys were conducted in order to track changes in higher education institutions behavior in response to the pandemic and its effects. In particular, these surveys and their corresponding reports focused on the impact of the pandemic on universities digital transformation and internationalization policies and practices.
Periodic Publications
IAU Horizons
Published twice a year, the magazine features IAU Activities; Upcoming events and projects ; Collaboration and networking opportunities; Membership news; New publications; and a global Calendar of Events. Each issue is also devoted to a special ’In Focus’ topic of interest and debate for the higher education community worldwide. IAU Horizons is available in English, in paper format and electronically.
Higher Education Policy (HEP)
Higher Education Policy (HEP), published quarterly, is an international peer-reviewed journal for advancing scholarly understanding of the policy process applied to higher education through the publication of original analyses, both theoretical and practice-based, the focus of which may range from case studies of developments in individual institutions to policy making at systems and at national level. The editorial board encompasses international experts in higher education.
All IAU Members receive complimentary access to HEP as part of their Membership benefits. Sign up to receive the table of contents for each new issue for Higher Education Policy when the issue is available online.
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Higher Education Policy (HEP), published quarterly, is an international journal for advancing scholarly understanding of the policy process applied to higher education through the publication of original analyses, both theoretical and practice-based, the focus of which may range from case studies of developments in individual institutions to policy making at systems and at national level.
Through this journal the International Association of Universities wishes to strengthen the exchange between scholarship and issues of practical administrative concern within the perspective of the disciplines that contribute to the study of this field - anthropology, history, economics, public administration, political science, government, law, sociology, philosophy, psychology, policy analysis and the sociology of organisations.
The editorial board will give every encouragement to original contributions, whether theoretical, conceptual or empirical in nature, which involves explicit inter-system and cross-national comparisons. Articles devoted to less reported systems of higher education and their evolution, are particularly welcome. The major criteria retained in the process of review and selection are the significance of the submission to decision-making and policy development in higher education as well as its intrinsic quality. Since the study of policy in higher education draws upon a broad range of disciplines, a cross-disciplinary methodology will have equal consideration.
The aim of Higher Education Policy is to provide a peer-reviewed vehicle of the highest quality for institutional leadership, scholars, practitioners and administrators at all levels of higher education to have access to, keep abreast of, and contribute to, the most advanced analyses available in this domain.
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How to submit
All articles must be submitted using the Journal’s online submission system. Before submitting, all authors are invited to read and follow specific instructions .Contact
If you have any queries or problems, please contact Nicholas Poulton. -
IAU Members
IAU Members may access HEP via a URL referral system setup by the IAU and Springer Nature. You can now consult and download the entire back catalogue of the journal and have access to Online First Articles – papers that have been accepted for publication and appear online while waiting to be assigned to an issue.
To read HEP, sign in using your WHED ID and password on the Springer Link website. If you have not received your WHED login details, or have lost them, please contact Nicholas Poulton.
Non Members
Individuals or Institutions who are not Members of the IAU who wish to access HEP may purchase a Personal Online Subscription.
Policy Statements
The IAU adopts positions and develops Policy Statements on issues of global concern for higher education. The topics are identified by the Association’s leadership and Membership.
Each Statement is the product of extensive drafting and international consultations. All statements are endorsed by the General Conference of the Association.
Recent Publications
The following IAU Publications are written by IAU Board members, expert working groups, Secretariat members, or in collaboration with Members.
