Lessons from a ‘new American university’

A new book, which charts the remarkable transformation of Arizona State University, offers lessons for university leaders in the UK.

Last month's publication of the latest Times Higher World University Rankings triggered the usual flurry of activity by university spin doctors. And for good reason. As the influence of league tables grows on prospective students, their parents, policymakers and the wider public, universities are keen to celebrate their rise, or defend their fall, in an increasingly competitive higher education environment.

Debates continue about the merits and methodologies of such ranking exercises. Stephen Curry wrote recently in the Guardian about the margins of error involved, and argued that rankers should "explicitly acknowledge the uncertainties in their tables of aggregate scores."