Migrating metaphors: the globalization of flexibility in policy

Trends towards greater flexibility are to be found in the reform of post-sc hool education and training around the globe. They are part of a wider prof ile of changes to workplaces and labour relations within which greater flex ibility is pursued. This paper charts our journey, through which we have so ught to locate flexibility as a globalizing and globalized policy metaphor. Drawing on recent policy texts, we illustrate the multiple meanings of fle xibility. The latter is explored within the growing debates about the globa lization of education policies and the metaphors which have been deployed t o frame these practices. Finally, we outline the role that metaphors have i n policy texts and the readings to which they are subject. We argue for met aphorical readings of the texts of flexibility and globalization as a way o f countering attempts to inscribe certain meanings and in order to sustain policy openings.