Introduction

The concept of ecology has a subtle ought-ness. If an ecosystem is found to be impaired, then one has a responsibility to help to restore it to good health. And so it is with the university. This chapter argues that ecology focused on learning stood the best chance of helping university leaders find ways of promoting innovation in response to rapidly changing circumstances. Ecology – like history, geography and geology – has a double meaning. It can be used as a synonym for an ecosystem, just as say ‘the geology of this area is predominantly sandstone’. But it also refers to a branch of scientific study. To practise ecology is to attempt to understand ecologies. Ideas about how to design technology and spaces for students’ learning are strongly influenced by fields like product design, user-interface design and architecture.