A new paradigm in Higher Education?

What is needed to ‘begin again’ with our universities?

Photo by I.am_nah on Unsplash

I’ve been researching the literature about how utterly broken academia is, and published some findings on here and also here and here.

And Profs Paul Frijters and Gigi Foster have written an interesting ‘proposal’ for what the new type of university might look like. How can we get rid of the toxic bullying environments, for example, how to create positive, multidisciplinary depts rather than silos….and how to elect representative leaders of these institutions without the complexities of hierarchies and ego. Well worth the listen/read.

Having met again yesterday with with local like-minded educationalists, the main question in my mind is whether this new way of higher-level learning will be locally-based rather than international. How can we connect and learn from each other internationally, without letting those horrendous zombie-making Zoom conversations, take over our lives?

Photo by Hannah Olinger on Unsplash

For interest, here is my current list of academics who seem to be standing-up for academic freedom and ethics - all with slightly different perspectives as to seeking funding, financial status and existing educational frameworks/qualifications….

·       Academics For Academic Freedom (UK) afaf.org.uk (Open Letter, membership events) (Prof David Hayes)

·       Australians for Science and Freedom – led by Prof Gigi Foster et al, https://www.scienceandfreedom.org/ [Can join as an Affiliate]

·       Academic Freedom Alliance (US) academicfreedom.org (litigation, membership by nomination)

·       Jordan Peterson’s project-in-progress: petersonacademy.com (unknown status!)

·       Brownstone Inst (Tx, US) Brownstone.org (publications, events, ‘Fellows’)

·       Hillsdale College (Michigan, US) Hillsdale.edu (well-established, [Christian, Liberal] UG/PG Courses and events. Gov (via veteran’s allowance) & privately funded.

·       University of Austin (Tx, US) uaustin.org (in progress) Courses begin next year.

·       Canadian Sociological Association ‘Covid-19 Hub’ working group: csa-scs.ca (any other professional ‘splinter’ groups?)

Let me know of others - I’ll add to these over time.