First published 1997
University administrators gather in Paris for a heated December conference on academic standards. The protagonist, an institutional leader, navigates fierce debates between national quality bodies and higher education researchers. Each faction brings different perspectives on quality assurance, creating tension as they present reports on international quality initiatives. The discussions grow more intense when studies reveal how external quality measures actually impact management decisions at universities. As the conference moves from Paris to London, the protagonist must reconcile competing visions of academic excellence. The story captures the human drama behind institutional change, where abstract policies collide with real consequences for students and faculty. At its heart, this is about people fighting to define what quality education means.
Genres: education, non-fiction, academia, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Paris, London
Period: December
240 pages · Paperback · Jessica Kingsley Publishers