Qualitative meta-analysis of futures studies in higher education: case study of futures studies desk in higher education

The main theme of futures studies in higher education is the systematic identification of the forces and drivers of change, opportunities and threats of change, designing a vision and a favorable future for higher education and an effective university, and designing effective strategies and actions to achieve a desirable future. Therefore, this study was conducted to outline the studies of higher education futures studies desks located in the Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education during (2014 to 2021) as a systematic manifestation of higher education futures studies in Iran. For this purpose, the qualitative meta-analysis method was used to analyze and integrate these studies with a comprehensive approach (quantitative and qualitative) in both form and content dimensions. Findings in the form of evidence indicate the continuation of desk studies in different years and the participation of a diverse range of stakeholders from the scientific and managerial body of universities and higher education and research Institutions. On the other hand, in the content dimension of desk studies in eight thematic categories including management and effectiveness of higher education, higher education planning, evaluation and quality of higher education, university curriculum and learning, information and communication technology and cyberspace in higher education, economics of higher education , And the internationalization of higher education has been done that under each of the categories, according to the conditions and requirements of the country, priority issues have been selected and studied in an interdisciplinary approach.