HEI teaching mobility: looking for dynamics in a seven-year period

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions are currently embracing mobility as an imperative goal, particularly and most impressively in the European Union countries where programs such as Erasmus+ strongly encourage students and staff to participate. This exploratory research aims to characterize teaching mobility in one university, identify facilitators, determine outcomes of repeated mobility, and provide clues on mobility dynamics over time. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from application forms and final reports submitted by 107 outgoing and 58 incoming teachers in one university between 2009 and 2016. It was observed that teaching mobility covers diversified profiles (e.g., gender, seniority, and fields of study). 23 out of 71 outgoing teachers participated in more than one mobility program during that period. A deeper analysis on the mobility champions reveals both individual and team initiatives. The results provide some interesting data on facilitators and consequences of teaching mobility.