The Idea of the University - Past - Present - Future

Bright and cloudy in Cambridge 

Hi

On Wednesday 23 November, the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Cambridge (CRASSH, what an acronym,) had invited Mr David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, author and academic to talk and answer questions in their lecture series

The Idea of the University.

As the media have reported, David was shouted off stage by jeers and catcalls.  A young spokesperson began to declaim, line by line, a prepared statement. His, mostly young, colleagues, loudly and rhythmically repeated each line after him.  The audience was shocked and charmed in equal measure.  We were listening to an ancient Greek chorus.  However no one was sure – Comedy or Tragedy? – Aristophanes or Aeschylus? – Athens ancient or modern?

Compared with earlier, younger then, university experiences, lectures in Cambridge are valuable.  Last Wednesday’s (the not David Willetts event) was valuable and exciting.

However, the Tanner Lecture delivered by Professor Ernst Fehr, University of Zurich, on Tuesday 8 November, is more significant and is pertinent.  Professor Fehr spoke about:

The Psychology and Economics of Authority

He showed that principals (i.e. all those holding authority) consistently fail to create mutually and optimally beneficial contracts with their agents (i.e. subordinates, governed, employees, contractors, pupils.) 

Those still occupying the lecture hall (some of whom may be professors and heads of houses in a few years) and the University are in shock.

What can we do now?  What should we do now?   What have we unleashed?  Attention will move to the public sector strike on 30^th November.  It will soon be vacation and Christmas.  We can forget it happened.

Perhaps all should re-visit Professor Fehr’s lecture and then do, regardless of age or rank, what universities are designed to do:

Research – Think – Write – Publish – Present – Debate

What am I going to do?  I shall inspect the biscuit bank and offer a challenge and a prize. 

Paws4Now

Jock

Path to complex knots