Diving beneath the surface of major curriculum reform using Bourdieu's field theory

Abstract

We read, with great interest, the article by Shah et al. on scratching beneath the surface of major curriculum reform. 1 We concur with the authors that curriculum reform is about more than simply putting recommendations into practice. It is a complex undertaking that involves mastering a dual challenge, changing both the curriculum and the delivering organisation 2 both of which are closely related to a change in organisational culture. Using Gerry Johnson's cultural web theory as a lens, Shah et al. offer valuable insights into how organisational culture influences curriculum reform. 1