Category Archives: demographics

Changing America: important new research on religious belief

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

How American society is changing is a vital topic for anyone thinking about education to consider.  I’ve written about demographics, politics, technology, and macroeconomics, but have not yet addressed an important force: religious belief.  Fortunately, a new study just appeared … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, trends | 6 Comments

Visualizing where Americans graduate from

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

Here’s a good visualization of how demographics are changing education.  Two Hechinger authors, Isaac Carey and Jon Marcus, built a good map based on WICHE data: This charts projected high school grads for 2031, based on current demographics and graduation … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, future of education, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Updated American demographics: becoming an older, more diverse nation

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

Demographics are a key tool in the futurist’s toolbox.  They represents trends that tend to be more durable than most others.  For education, demographic trends have a powerful influence, shaping the populations we serve in many ways. For instance, consider … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, trends | 2 Comments

Population trends for higher education beyond the United States

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

How will changing demographics transform higher education?  Demographics are a vital tool in the futurists’ toolbox, and are also crucial for understanding just about everything in education, including not just higher ed but K-12, informal education, vocational training, and more. … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics | 2 Comments

Building an American caste system, part 1: rural folk

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

Sometimes my personal and research worlds collide.  Thursday night I was thinking about a good, recent article on the continued suckage of rural broadband and starting to write about it.  My readers know that this is a very immediate problem for … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, future of education, politics | 14 Comments

Another college readies a queen sacrifice

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

Another American campus has decided to cut faculty and possibly programs.  This time it’s on the west coast, but the queen sacrifice pattern is quite clear.  Mills College officially announced it was “restructuring“.  That includes a “Financial Stabilization Plan (FSP) that … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, research topics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Has Trump's presidency cut international student interest in the US?

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

One possible impact the Trump administration might have on higher education is depressing international student applications to American campuses.  Trump’s hostility to immigrants from certain nations (Mexico, some Muslim-majority countries, etc.) could recast the US in a negative light for … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, research topics | 6 Comments

Explaining the 2016 elections: the generational pivot

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

One of the essential uses of studying history is the way the past can sometimes shock you into a different awareness of the present, along with adding glimpses of possible futures.  We certainly need more awareness when it comes to the … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, politics | 4 Comments

Moving forward in dark times: two inspirations

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Bryan Alexander

Where do we go for inspiration and optimism? I’ve been asking myself this over the past half year, especially when I’ve been submerged in dark times.  Obviously the Trump election has been a force for depression.  2016 has for many … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, personal, technology, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Towards the future of higher education economics

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Bryan Alexander

Yesterday a group of us presented on the future of, well, everything.  Brilliant people spoke to the future of the book, of food, and of work.  In contrast, I gave a short presentation on the future of higher education economics. … Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, presentations and talks, research topics | 3 Comments