Introducing the concept of 'knowledge alchemy' as the formulation of global standards through the use of indicators and algorithms, this book explores how the concept increasingly informs national and institutional policies and practices.

Tero Erkkilä is Professor of Political Science at the University of Helsinki. Meng-Hsuan Chou is Associate Professor and Provost's Chair in Public Policy and Global Affairs at Nanyang Technological University. Niilo Kauppi is CNRS Research Professor at the University of Strasbourg.