#10 Bacchus reading group meeting
This month reading: Ronald Barnett (2005) Recapturing the Universal in the University, Educational Philosophy and Theory, 37:6, 785-797
The role of “universalism” relates to the publics trust, and the ability to of the academics to retain their integrity in the face of different pressures pulling the academics/researchers into different directs
E.g. we maybe can trust an academic on the (financial) benefits of pharmatheutical industry university relationship
We may not be able to trust them when it comes to the adverse effects of the same pharmatheuticals
The nature of “the problem” [prioritizing outcome over process, and impact over research] may have always existed.
However, due to the digital revolution and an increase in size of the universities in terms of student population
These are now pressing issues, in terms of how to interact with different, potentially contradicting, forms of knowledge
Barnett’s suggestion is that “spirit” or constitution of a teacher in how to interact with uncertainty is also important, in the face of supercomplexity
The ad hoc social community interaction between researchers, is what both constitutes community AND also the source of inspiration for new ideas
In times of Covid, “water cooler” conversation and in general chance meetings between people have been reduced, and it is unclear as to what the consequences to that is
Such unsoclitated social activities, are also the essence of community, and without them no community is created
Supercomplexity, seems to be a constant feature and how the university approaches and handles its relationship to it represents its raison de tre
A good question for any starting VC, would be:
“What are the epistemological/ontological consequences of your particular vision of the purpose/strategy of a university?”
University management, a key role to play
What is good university management?
Different types of “impact”, some long-shots, some sure things, some in the middle, and then the question becomes about what the ratios ought to be
The intended “impact” of the research and reading activities of the Bacchus reading group are very humble and local, namely the continuation and prosperity of the University of Hull.
with these ambitions, comes a necessity to define what a university is AND what a well-managed and run university would look like
The arising “impact culture” is most likely generating negative aspects, and being aware of them is the first step in trying to prevent/address them.