Academic Experiences in Policy Development: a Grounded Theory Study Across Three Higher Education Institutions

The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 (Hunt Report, 2011) suggested that a framework should be put in place to facilitate institutional mergers. Subsequently, three institutes of technology in Dublin signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the Technological University for Dublin Alliance (Dublin Institute of Technology, the Institute of Technology Tallaght and the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown.) The presidents from each institute formed a steering group that consisted of a team of staff from across the three campuses. The role of this team was to launch the foundation themes that were necessary for designation. One of these themes was the development of a teaching and learning strategy. During research into educational strategy, the precursor to these strategies – policy formation – became the focal point. The study subsequently focused on policy and how each institute orchestrated policy development and implementation. This research then began to explore issues and concerns academics may have had with policy development, and their fears for future policy, as they transformed into a university.