Routledge Research in Higher Education series
Dr Pratibha Ram (King’s College London, UK) and Professor Sin-Wang Chong (University of St Andrews, UK) invite chapter proposals for the forthcoming edited volume, Dismantling the “Good Student” Myth: Rethinking Engagement, Inclusion, and Success in Higher Education, developed for the Routledge Research in Higher Education series.
About the Volume
The volume critically examines the “good student” as a socially constructed and institutionally reproduced ideal within higher education. It explores how expectations surrounding participation, confidence, visibility, academic performance, professionalism, and engagement shape who is recognised and rewarded as a successful student while marginalising others.
Rather than locating disengagement or difficulty solely within students, the volume asks how institutional, cultural, pedagogical, and assessment systems themselves shape participation, belonging, capability, and success.
Themes
The edited volume is organised around four interconnected themes:
- Theme 1: Constructing the “Good Student” — How the “good student” ideal is defined and normalised.
- Theme 2: Performing the “Good Student” — How students are expected to demonstrate the ideal through assessment and participation.
- Theme 3: Accessing the “Good Student” — Who can most easily fit and be recognised through the ideal.
- Theme 4: Dismantling the “Good Student” Myth — How higher education can redesign systems beyond the “good student” ideal.
Proposals may include conceptual chapters, empirical research, mixed-methods studies, qualitative research, or quantitative research. Contributions should engage clearly with the central concept of the “good student” and consider how it can be interrogated, challenged, or dismantled.
Submissions
Chapter proposals of 500–750 words are due by 1 December 2026.
Selected contributors will be invited to submit a full chapter of 5,000–8,000 words, including references, prepared in accordance with APA 7th edition referencing guidelines.
Please read the full Call for Book Chapters before submitting a proposal.
Submit your Proposals