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Towards a new academic activism

16.04.2020 16:00-19:00CET

First PaTHES online webinar discussion

As a response to the enhanced pressure on universities from neoliberal regimes, we see a rising wave of student protest movements, and political and institutional debates on academic freedom, research integrity, and sustainable higher education futures. We see protests escalate into violent confrontations, students and teachers turning on each other, and institutional leaders caught in a conflict between their professors and governing Boards. In spite of the much-celebrated turn towards academic activism in universities around the word, we detect disturbingly little cohesion, communal spirit, and ethical grounding in these movements. In this webinar discussion, we ask, what are the values and common beliefs foundational in the formation of a new academic activism?

Date and time
Thursday, April 16th, 2020, at 16.00-19.00 (CET)

Webinar programme
16.00-16.15: Welcome and presentations of speakers and participants

16.15-16.45: Presentation from Professor Ryan Gildersleeve, University of Denver, United States

16.45-17.15: Presentation from Professor Nuraan Davids, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

17.15-18.00: Break & group discussions

18.00.18.30: Joint debate

18.30-18.45: Discussant, Emeritus Professor Ronald Barnett, University College London, UK

18.45-19.00: Final remarks, closing and good-bye

The event will be chaired by Dr Søren S.E. Bengtsen, Chair of PaTHES, Aarhus University, Denmark.

The event is organised by the Philosophy and Theory of Higher Education Society (PaTHES), and is free and open to all interested. However, signing up for the event is mandatory, so if you wish to attend, please send an email, with your name, title and affiliation, and email-address to PaTHES at:pathes2018@gmail.com.

Please sign up for the event before March 20th, 2020.

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