What is CHER?

CHER was founded during a first conference on November, 24-26, 1988 in Kassel (Germany) where some 50 scholars from 17 countries met to discuss the current state and future avenues in the field of higher education research. These scholars agreed to form a international network of higher education researchers. A steering group of seven persons was established. In 1993 CHER was changed into a foundation under Dutch law with a board of governors of seven persons. Currently, CHER counts some 160 members from more than 30 countries, from whom almost a quarter are from outside Europe.

The CHER secretariat, previously hosted at CHEPS, University of Twente, has moved with the year 2001 to the Centre for Research on Higher Education and Work, University of Kassel, Germany. Since 2013, the CHER secretariat is hosted at CIPES – Centre for Research in Higher Education Policies, Porto, Portugal.

There are some principles that were accepted by CHER as being relevant for the activities to be undertaken:

• A first principle is that the emphasis of CHER should be on the exchange of ideas with the objective to improve the theoretical bases and the quality of research on higher education.
• A second principle is that CHER develops links with international organisations involved in research and policy on higher education CHER seeks support of these organisations, without becoming closely associated with a single one of them.
• A third principle is that in order to structure the organisation CHER is an individual membership organisation.

Given these objectives, CHER aims at developing activities in the field of research on higher education. It wants to stimulate cooperation in research projects and to develop further the internationalisation of higher education research.
CHER stimulates the development and implementation of an advanced international training programme on higher education in Europe.

Finally, CHER regularly organizes an international symposium to discuss the developments in higher education and higher education research.

Who can be member of CHER?

Members are entitled to attend the events organized by CHER, including the Annual Conference, and receive all those papers whose forwarding is deemed desirable by the board of governors. All members may come forward as candidates for the board. Members will receive the CHER directory. In this directory the research interests and recent relevant publications of all members are listed.
Members pay a contribution. The membership is 75,- EURO per year. Student-membership is 55,- EURO per year. For admission, please use the Admission Form.