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The landscape of extra-mural higher education is experiencing significant challenges both in the UK and globally, leading to a perceived decline in its prominence and effectiveness. This decline can be attributed to several interrelated factors, including shifts in educational policy, economic pressures, and the impact of digital transformation.
One of the primary reasons for the decline of extra-mural higher education is the shift in policy focus towards more utilitarian educational outcomes. Tuckett highlights that post-2003, there has been a narrowing of public investment in adult education, which has increasingly prioritized qualifications that directly enhance labour market participation over broader educational goals (Tuckett, 2017). This trend reflects a broader global movement towards ‘commodification’ in education, where the emphasis is placed on measurable outcomes that serve immediate economic needs rather than fostering a well-rounded educational experience (Al-Haija & Mahamid, 2021). The neoliberal policies that have permeated higher education systems worldwide have led to a competitive, market-driven environment that often side-lines extra-mural programmes, which traditionally cater to diverse community needs and lifelong learning opportunities (Budd, 2017).
The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst for rapid digital transformation in higher education, complicating the landscape for extra-mural studies. The abrupt transition to online learning exposed significant gaps in accessibility and engagement, particularly for adult learners who may not have the same level of digital literacy or resources as traditional students (Hamburg, 2021; Мосьпан, 2023). As a result, many institutions have struggled to maintain the quality and inclusivity of their extra-mural offerings, leading to a decline in participation rates (Morales et al., 2021). The pandemic has also accelerated the trend towards remote and flexible learning, which, while beneficial in some respects, has diminished the traditional face-to-face community engagement that extra-mural education often relies upon (Hamburg, 2021).
Finally, the transformation of higher education systems has been described as “glonacal,” indicating that educational activities are shaped by global, national, and local influences simultaneously (Mirgorodskaya, 2023). This complexity can lead to a dilution of local extra-mural programs as institutions increasingly align their offerings with global trends and market demands, potentially neglecting the unique needs of their local communities (Sabadash, 2023). The emphasis on internationalization and the pursuit of global rankings can overshadow the importance of community-focused education, further contributing to the decline of extra-mural initiatives (“Internationalization of higher education in Thailand: Promises and reality”, 2022).
Thus, the decline of extra-mural higher education in the UK and worldwide can be attributed to a combination of policy shifts towards utilitarian outcomes, the impacts of digital transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pressures of globalization that often prioritize international competitiveness over local engagement. These factors collectively challenge the sustainability and relevance of extra-mural education, and necessitate a re-evaluation of its role within the broader higher education landscape.
REFERENCES
Al-Haija, Y. A., & Mahamid, H. (2021). Trends in Higher Education Under Neoliberalism: Between Traditional Education and the Culture of Globalization. Educational Research and Reviews, 16(2), 16–26. https://doi.org/10.5897/err2020.4101
Budd, R. W. (2017). Higher Education – From Global Trends to Local Realities. 129–142. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315563091-11
Hamburg, I. (2021). COVID-19 as a Catalyst for Digital Lifelong Learning and Reskilling. Advances in Research, 21–27. https://doi.org/10.9734/air/2021/v22i130282
Internationalization of Higher Education in Thailand: Promises and Reality. (2022). Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2022.43.1.25
Mirgorodskaya, E. (2023). Transformation of the Higher Education System: Current and Emerging Global Trends. E3s Web of Conferences, 431, 09013. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202343109013
Morales, V. J. G., Garrido‐Moreno, A., & Rojas, R. M. (2021). The Transformation of Higher Education After the COVID Disruption: Emerging Challenges in an Online Learning Scenario. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.616059
Sabadash, D. (2023). Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Flipped Classroom to Facilitate Concept “Glocal” in Tertiary Education. https://doi.org/10.36074/logos-23.06.2023.52
Tuckett, A. (2017). The Rise and Fall of Life-Wide Learning for Adults in England. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 36(1–2), 230–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2017.1274546
Мосьпан, Н. В. (2023). The 4 Cs Strategy for Disseminating Innovations in University Teaching: Classroom, Corridors, Campus, Community. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 20(1), 13–34. https://doi.org/10.53761/1.20.01.04
A photographer aiming to influence debates on consumerism, climate change, population growth, and healthcare policies (like IVF funding) could use their medium to engage audiences emotionally, visually, and intellectually. Photography, with its unique ability to capture moments and evoke powerful responses, offers several strategic avenues to shape public opinion and raise awareness on these topics. Here are some approaches:
Documentary Photography
The photographer could create a series of images that document the direct effects of consumerism and climate change on the environment. For example, images of plastic waste in oceans, deforestation, and polluted urban areas could viscerally illustrate the environmental damage tied to unchecked consumption. Similarly, documenting the impact of population growth on vulnerable ecosystems, urban sprawl, and overburdened healthcare systems could emphasise the need for action.
Impact: By showing the human and environmental toll, this type of photography can raise awareness and provoke reflection on the consequences of consumerism and unsustainable population growth. Photographers like Sebastião Salgado, who have tackled environmental and social issues, have used this style to great effect.
Portrait Photography
The photographer could create a series of portraits focusing on individuals affected by these issues, such as communities impacted by climate change or families who have benefited from (or been denied access to) IVF. By humanising these complex topics, a photographer can create empathy and understanding among audiences who might otherwise find the abstract nature of the issues difficult to engage with.
Impact: Portraits that tell individual stories can shift the debate from data-driven arguments to more personal narratives, compelling viewers to reconsider their positions by connecting emotionally to the subjects.
Conceptual Photography
Conceptual photography offers another avenue by using symbolism and metaphors to comment on issues like overconsumption and environmental degradation. For example, a series that juxtaposes over-consumed products (clothing, gadgets, etc.) with images of natural resources could serve as a visual critique of consumer culture’s unsustainability. Similarly, images that explore the emotional weight of population growth—perhaps by illustrating the demands placed on the Earth through striking, staged compositions—could make the issue more accessible.
Impact: Conceptual work often encourages viewers to interpret deeper meanings and can stimulate intellectual debates by providing new ways to view familiar topics. This type of photography often resonates in art galleries, magazines, and social media.
Advocacy Campaigns and Photojournalism
By collaborating with environmental NGOs, healthcare advocates, or human rights organisations, photographers could use their work in advocacy campaigns to influence policy change. For example, a campaign highlighting the wastefulness of fast fashion could use hard-hitting photojournalism to show the lifecycle of clothing—from production to landfill.
Impact: Visual advocacy tied to concrete campaigns can be a powerful tool for changing public policy. High-profile projects, such as the work of photojournalists in publications like National Geographic or The Guardian, can help spread awareness on a broader scale.
Exhibitions and Talks
Photographers can also host exhibitions that centre around climate change, population control, or the ethics of healthcare. Accompanying the images with artist talks, panel discussions, or debates can provide a platform to explore these issues in greater depth. These exhibitions could travel through community centres, universities, and museums to engage a wide audience.
Impact: Exhibitions offer a space for reflective engagement. When paired with interactive or educational components, they can spark discussions on the issues and lead to a deeper understanding among diverse audiences.
Before-and-After Comparisons
A visual technique that can powerfully influence opinion is the “before and after” comparison. For example, photographing a location before and after significant environmental degradation due to consumer activities, or showing the strain on healthcare resources as population demands increase, can graphically represent the effects of these issues.
Impact: Before-and-after images create a stark contrast that can leave a lasting impression on viewers, driving home the urgency of action by visually demonstrating change (or destruction) over time.
Social Media Photography Projects
In today’s digital age, social media offers a platform to reach a wide and diverse audience quickly. A photographer could create a viral photography series or campaign on platforms like Instagram, using hashtags, storytelling captions, and interactive elements to provoke discussions about consumerism, climate change, or IVF.
Impact: Social media allows for rapid dissemination of images and ideas, and the photographer can directly engage with the audience in real time, fostering discussion and sharing of ideas. Well-crafted, socially relevant images on these platforms can be shared broadly, amplifying their influence.
Collaborative Projects with Researchers or Writers
By collaborating with academics, activists, or writers, a photographer can pair their visuals with hard data or narratives, enhancing the message’s effectiveness. For instance, a project that combines environmental research on climate change with a series of photographs showing the impact of extreme weather events on communities would provide both emotional and intellectual engagement.
Impact: Combining art with academic research can help ensure that visual storytelling is grounded in fact, adding credibility and depth to the message while reaching a wider audience that might be drawn in by the emotional power of the images.
Photography, then, can be a potent tool for influencing public opinion and political debate on complex issues like consumerism, climate change, population growth, and healthcare policies. By using the emotional impact of imagery, photographers can bypass intellectual resistance and provoke reflection and empathy in viewers. Whether through documentary work, conceptual art, or advocacy campaigns, photographers can foster engagement with these issues and help shape the ongoing discourse around sustainability, ethics, and human responsibility. By making abstract concepts visible and personal, photography has the power to influence how people understand and react to the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time.