What are the benefits and challenges of using external reviewers for quality assurance?

2 Challenges of external reviewers

However, using external reviewers also poses some challenges and risks to higher education institutions. First, external reviewers may not have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the institution's context, culture, and mission, which may affect their judgment and relevance of their findings. Second, external reviewers may impose their own views and preferences on the institution, which may not match its vision and values. Third, external reviewers may create a sense of pressure and anxiety among the institution's staff and students, who may feel scrutinized and criticized by outsiders.

3 How to use external reviewers effectively

To overcome these challenges and maximize the benefits of using external reviewers, higher education institutions need to follow some best practices. First, they need to select external reviewers carefully, based on their expertise, experience, and reputation, as well as their compatibility and diversity. Second, they need to prepare well for the external review process, by clarifying the purpose, scope, and criteria of the evaluation, as well as providing relevant and reliable evidence and information. Third, they need to engage constructively with the external reviewers, by communicating openly, listening actively, and responding appropriately.

4 How to learn from external reviewers

Another important aspect of using external reviewers is to learn from their feedback and recommendations, and to use them for continuous improvement. Higher education institutions need to do four things to achieve this. First, they need to analyze and reflect on the external review report, and identify the key findings, strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement. Second, they need to share and discuss the report with their internal stakeholders, and solicit their views and suggestions. Third, they need to develop and implement an action plan, based on the priorities and resources available. Fourth, they need to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of the action plan, and report the results and outcomes.

5 How to contribute to external reviewers

Finally, using external reviewers is not only a way of receiving feedback, but also a way of giving feedback. Higher education institutions can also contribute to the QA of other institutions, by providing their staff and experts as external reviewers. This can benefit both the reviewed and the reviewing institutions in several ways. First, it can foster a culture of collaboration and mutual learning among higher education institutions. Second, it can enhance the professional development and networking of the staff and experts involved. Third, it can increase the diversity and quality of the external review pool and process.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?