The Bologna Process and its Global Strategy: Motivations and External Responses

This book critically reflects on the international function of the Bologna Process by exploring motivations and interests behind its ‘global strategy’ as well as how the reforms have been perceived and applied beyond Europe.

Since its initiation in 1999, the Bologna Process has evolved into an important example of regional higher education policy coordination. Now with 48 signatory states both within and outside the European Union, the Bologna reforms have pushed forward an ambitious agenda for a European Higher Education Area (EHEA), and the EU specifically as it aims to consolidate its knowledge-economy. Alongside its regional focus, the Bologna Process has also promoted an international reach through its ‘global strategy’. Through this externalisation, the Bologna Process has become a point of reference for higher education internationalisation worldwide

Featuring examples of Bologna’s ‘reach’ from Oceania to North America and in between, the book offers a timely contribution to the understanding of the reform’s global influence. As a whole the contributions offer important insights to the understanding and conceptualisation of the EU’s global influence, comparative regionalism and global higher education development more broadly.

This book was originally published as a special issue of the European Journal of Higher Education.