The purpose of this article is to challenge the idea of incompatibility between links to research and links to professional practice in engineering education. The concept of 'academic drift' is introduced, both related to drift towards theory and towards research links in the curriculum. Empirical data were collected through a case study conducted…

"Higher Education Research & Development" ("HERD") was established to address a perceived gap in higher education publishing: research of interest to practitioners that was engagingly written. After 30 years of contributing to the field, "HERD" has constructed a unique position for itself among higher education…

The organization and role of higher education research and development units (HERDUs) are described, and international perspectives on educational development theory and practices are examined. Factors constraining educational development operations in HERDUs are discussed, and recommendations for addressing current concerns are offered. (MSE)