Consultants and Consultancy: the Case of Education - In-depth

In this review of Consultants and Consultancy: the Case of Education the authors map how consultants shape education policy and practice, and why this matters to anyone studying governance. This book is for readers seeking a rigorous, evidence-based account of the emergence of a consultocracy in education; its single biggest reason to buy is the systematic multi-level analysis that connects global trends to consultants at work in classrooms and ministries. The review highlights the book's clarity in tracing how edubusinesses and restructured public services produce new knowledge actors and influence policy decisions.

Key Features

• Comprehensive mapping: Provides a detailed mapping of consultants and consultancy in education, helping readers see patterns across contexts and institutions.
• Multi-level analysis: Examines consultancy at global, national and micro levels, so readers understand how international policy ideas travel and land in practice.
• Empirical case studies: Includes vivid descriptions and analyses of consultants at work that illustrate abstract governance changes with real-world examples.
• Critical framing: Considers the rise of a consultocracy and privileged access to government, prompting reflection on accountability and influence.
• Policy relevance: Connects academic discussion to public sector modernisation, useful for those studying or shaping education reform.

Who It's For

Academics, postgraduate students and policy researchers interested in education governance will find this book especially valuable, as it situates consultancy within broader trends of public sector change and edubusiness growth. Practitioners in government or NGOs who want a critical perspective on how external advisers influence decision making will also gain useful insights.

Readers seeking a practical how-to guide for consultancy practice or a brief overview of education reform should look elsewhere; this is a research-focused, analytical volume rather than a manual for consultants or a short introductory pamphlet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong empirical grounding that makes the argument about a consultocracy convincing and concrete.
• Clear multi-level structure that links globalised policy to national and local practice.
• Thought-provoking critical perspective that raises important questions about accountability and influence.

Cons

• Written in an academic register that may be dense for casual readers or those seeking a quick summary.

Specifications

Title	Consultants and Consultancy: the Case of Education
Series	Educational Governance Research, 4
Authors	Helen M. Gunter, Colin Mills
Subject	Education governance, consultancy, public sector modernisation
Scope	Global, national and micro-level analysis
Focus	Mapping consultants and edubusiness influence in education

Our Verdict

Consultants and Consultancy: the Case of Education is a substantial, research-driven book that rewards readers seeking an analytical, multi-level account of consultancy in education. It is good value for scholars and policy specialists who want documented case studies and critical framing of the consultocracy phenomenon, though casual readers should expect an academic tone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover international examples?
Yes. The study explicitly examines consultancy at a macro-level of globalised policy as well as national and local contexts.

Is it written for practitioners?
It is primarily research-focused and best suited to academics and policy researchers rather than as a practical how-to manual for consultants.

Who are the authors?
The book is authored by Helen M. Gunter and Colin Mills, and forms part of the Educational Governance Research series.