Understanding the ‘digital university’: An analysis based on the policies for the digitalisation of teaching and learning in Portuguese Higher Education

With the growing transition of Higher Education (HE) to digital environments, an increasing number of studies have examined emerging educational policies and the implications of digitalisation for the sector. In the post-pandemic period, policies for HE have prioritised digitalisation not only as a process of technological modernisation, but also as a strategy to foster pedagogical innovation and enhance teaching and learning. The so-called ‘digital university’ is often presented as a means to promote academic success, reach diverse and geographically dispersed audiences, and make HE more inclusive, equitable and personalised. This study analyses the policy frameworks, governance models and stakeholder networks that underpin the digitalisation of teaching and learning in Higher Education in Portugal. In particular, it examines the priorities guiding digitalisation efforts, with a specific focus on the integration of social justice principles—such as equity, diversity and inclusion—into the design and implementation of policies. The central objective of this research is to understand the educational concepts that emerge within these policies and their implications for the meaning and social role of Higher Education. Thus, the project will contribute to examining which model of university is being promoted by educational policies for the digitalisation of teaching and learning in Higher Education.