Internationally, the scale and strategic importance of higher education is reflected in the growth of higher education as a major focus of interdisciplinary research. The study of higher education is an important arena for investigation in its own right. In addition, in Ireland as elsewhere there is recognition that public policy and institutional practice should be informed by a strong research and evidence base.

Working with colleagues from a range of disciplines across DCU, and in collaboration with partners in other institutions in Ireland and internationally, HERC aims to harness existing research expertise to provide a national locus for higher education research.