Trendspotting 2020: Perspectives of Leaders in the Field

Watching and interpreting future trends can help international educators define priorities and improve impact. But as Nobel Laureate Niels Bohr said, “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.”

International Educator asked 14 international education leaders from diverse geographical and institutional settings for their perspective on what’s next for the field in the new year by posing two questions: 

• What is one key trend you think is shaping the field of international education in 2020, and why is it significant?
• What is one opportunity and one challenge facing international educators in responding to this trend?

The answers, from leaders with a variety of experience and expertise, present a picture of where the field is likely to go in 2020, and beyond, and what opportunities international educators should anticipate.

While it is well established that many universities, especially in high-income countries, face headwinds at the intersection of demographics, budgets, and geopolitical tensions, the answers below focus on some of the trends that institutions can manage.

Roger Brindley

USF System Vice President, USF World
University of South Florida

Trend: Digital technology

“International education is going to use digital technology to get closer to the academic and research client. There are numerous ways institutions may address this trend. These may include more bilateral and multilateral academic articulations; more online, distance-based learning; and more collaboration among university researchers around the world.”

Opportunity: Overcome distance and foster connection

“As digital technologies decrease the friction of distance, universities [can] redefine how they set goals