The Times Higher Education World Reputation Summit was recently convened to explore the question of what universities should do when their research, scholarship, and expertise has been pushed to the side as elitist and impractical. With Harvard as host and attendees including MIT, Oxford and other formidable institutions, participants were encouraged to explore how "truth-seekers in a post-truth world" can redefine their role.
Backing away from those who are hostile to higher education is not the answer. Ceri Thomas, director of communications at Oxford University warned, "it would be a dreadful mistake in my view for us to retreat to our core support and ignore the sections of society that see us part of a disconnected, globalised elite." As an example of striving to stay relevant, MIT has begun producing 30 to 90 second videos that they believe are effective. One of the most compelling recommendations was to engage the post-truth era as a stimulus for serious, engaged, and useful research, writing, and teaching. Paul Andrew, vice president for communications at Harvard, said, "There's nothing like a good existential crisis to mobilise people. It is unfortunate that it has to get to that point, but [faculty] recognise at the highest level, from the president through the entire administration, that we are in lock-step with them in supporting their work."
Backing away from those who are hostile to higher education is not the answer. Ceri Thomas, director of communications at Oxford University warned, "it would be a dreadful mistake in my view for us to retreat to our core support and ignore the sections of society that see us part of a disconnected, globalised elite." As an example of striving to stay relevant, MIT has begun producing 30 to 90 second videos that they believe are effective. One of the most compelling recommendations was to engage the post-truth era as a stimulus for serious, engaged, and useful research, writing, and teaching. Paul Andrew, vice president for communications at Harvard, said, "There's nothing like a good existential crisis to mobilise people. It is unfortunate that it has to get to that point, but [faculty] recognise at the highest level, from the president through the entire administration, that we are in lock-step with them in supporting their work."
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