This paper explores issues around disciplinary belonging and academic identity. Historians of science learn to think and practise like historians in terms of research practice, but this paper shows that British historians of science do not think of themselves as belonging to the disciplinary community of historians. They may be confident that they…

The activities of professorial department heads and the expectations surrounding their activities in British universities are examined, based on staff interviews. Variations in the way department heads adhere to or divert from departmental policy are discussed. (LBH)

Changes in the status of the British "chair" or professorship in the twentieth century are examined, with focus on the types of changes, the reasons for them, and the administrative, educational, and intellectual results. (MSE)

A study of British physiology departments reveals critical staffing problems. Discussed are the recruitment problem, reasons for the current problem, and possible solutions. A brief comparison to the United States is given. (RH)

A study of continuing vocational education in British universities found a variety of organizational approaches and assumptions that continuing education should be mainstreamed and self-financing. Essential elements include leader commitment, specialized units, clear academic identity, and continuous reflective review. (SK)

An alternative system for allocating resources within British universities is proposed which involves (1) a budget for each recognizable academic unit, the size related to the unit's student load by a published formula, and (2) the devolution to units of responsibility for spending their budget on different items. (JT)

This study identified computer objectives based on recommendations of the authoritative accounting bodies, determined whether the typical introductory computer course has these same objectives, and examined the influence of the academic department responsible for teaching the course. Relationships between department and course objectives,…

States there is unease among university historians about the impact of research assessment exercises (that is a regular determinant of university funding) on their subject. Argues that such concern reflects characteristics of the discipline, making selective funding of university history departments awkward. (CMK)

In order to ascertain current assessment practices at final degree level in British university geography departments, 33 departments were surveyed. A model was then developed that conveys the value of using a range of examination techniques to suit particular teaching objectives and experiences. (LBH)

Attempts to measure the culture of a business studies department in a British university in order to assess how supportive it is to equal opportunities for women. Utilizes Johnson and Scholes' cultural web as a measurement tool that consists of six categories (organizational structure, power, control, paradigm, symbols, stories, and…

Studied the influence of demographic variables on the British public's perceptions of the usefulness of retaining faculties from different disciplines. Found that people's perceptions of what is worthy are not based on political affiliation but are dependent on a number of socioeconomic variables. (EV)

Two thousand students from 66 academic departments in six contrasting disciplines from British colleges completed an "approaches to studying" inventory and a course perceptions questionnaire. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to ways in which the organization of teaching and courses may affect students'…

The effects of the academic environment, which is defined as the organization of curricula, teaching, and assessment on student learning, are examined. Focus is on students' perceptions of their courses and teachers in six departments at a British university, and the different demands that various environments make. (Author/JMD)

Papers presented on social work education in Britain include: Current developments in social work education (P.H. Young); selection of students (M. Elizabeth Edwards); the management of curriculum development (J. Snelling); the management of a social work department (M.J. McAllister); current issues and developments in social work training (D.C.G.…

The detailed organization of an integrated medical sciences curriculum from its initial planning to the final state of "automatic" administration are described. Flexibility and scope for controlled change and experiment are retained in spite of some reduction in departmental autonomy. (Author/LBH)