Looking back, and looking forward: Does ADCHE embody a mature field of enquiry?

Abstract

This article attempts to characterize the maturation of the field of research embodied in this journal. This field of research is described as pedagogic in character, and related to the disciplines of art, design and media, within the higher education research context. The article describes the original context for the development of the field, related to the parallel, more mature development of the field of higher education research. It goes on to describe key influences on the development of the field of research, including research assessment exercises in the national and international context, development of higher education systems and research into the student experience and predominant themes in the development of the field of enquiry. Themes identified include research development and situated practices in learning and teaching. The article draws comparisons with the development of a field of enquiry, by referring to review studies in the fields of higher education research and design research. The article concludes that there is much evidence of a mature field of enquiry and argues for further demonstration through synthesis and application of established higher education research methods and frameworks.