Towards the Compassionate University: From Golden Thread to Global Impact

This book articulates a clear and persuasive argument for the development of compassion in higher education in a global climate of increasing competition, complexity and uncertainty. It makes a significant contribution to the concept and practice of compassion in the 21st university.
Compassion is a process that involves: (i) noticing that suffering is present in an organisation; (ii) making meaning of suffering in a way that contributes to a desire to alleviate it; (iii) feeling empathic concern; and (iv) taking action. There is increasing recognition of the crucial role of compassion as a core concern in education, health and social care, and globally to ensure the future sustainability of humankind and the planet. Drawing upon a range of interdisciplinary, theoretical and professional perspectives, the book addresses the key challenges facing 21st century universities. For example, regarding staff and student health and wellbeing, and responding to global challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic.
The book is relevant to academics, researchers, university leaders, policy makers, staff and students aspiring to develop their own understanding of the role of compassion in professional life. It is an important marker of the compassion turn in contemporary academic leadership, followership, and practice.