John Strain teaches ethics at Surrey University, UK. He is an Anglican priest and also teaches a Master’s level course in religious ideology and international conflict. Ronald Barnett is Professor of Higher Education at the Institute of Education, University of London and Pro-Director for Longer Term Strategy. Peter Jarvis is a former head of the Department of Educational Studies at the University of Surrey and Adjunct Professor, Department of Adult Education, University of Georgia, USA.

• Acknowledgements 1. Introduction, John Strain, Ronald Barnett and Peter Jarvis Section 1 The debate: ethics in contemporary universitiesIntroduction to Section 12. Ethics, values and higher education: the power of globalization, Peter Jarvis3. The vitality of ethics in the contemporary university, John Strain4. The post-modern university: prospects of the ethical, Ronald BarnettSection 2 Ethical concepts in academic practiceIntroduction to Section 25. Formation and virtue, academic and professional, Christopher Megone6. Community as an academic ethic, Bruce Macfarlane7. Dialogue, virtue and ethics,Stan van Hooft8. Excellence and the pursuit of competence in contemporary universities: a view from the U.S.A., Joan Whitman HoffSection 3 Universities, ethics and professions: some different perspectives Introduction to Section 39. The teacher’s perspective: teaching ethics and professional ethics in universities, Christopher Belshaw10. Looking forward: the researcher’s perspective, Martin Bulmer and Josephine Ocloo 11. Views from the boundary: business and professional perspectives, Simon Robinson12. Looking at what is needed: from the chief executive’s desk, Roger Steare13. Departures, John Strain, Ronald Barnett and Peter Jarvis Index