Overview

Are British research universities losing their way or are they finding a new way? Nigel Thrift, a well-known academic and a former Vice-Chancellor, explores recent changes in the British research university that threaten to erode the quality of these higher education institutions. He considers what a research university has now become by examining the quandaries that have arisen from a succession of misplaced strategies and false expectations. Challenging both higher education policy and leadership, he argues that the focus on student number growth and a series of research policy missteps has upset research universities' priorities just at a point in the history of planetary breakdown when their research is most needed.

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9781447364849

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A compelling read for anyone who cares about the future of our universities. Thrift outlines a distinctive vision for the future of British research universities, arguing for a recasting of their operation to ensure that they remain intellectual lighthouses at a time when their research is needed more than ever to secure a future for our planet. Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, University of Bristol Research universities matter! Thrift provides an unashamed, insightful and personal defence. In doing so he raises existential questions about their future, and argues for their purpose and survival. Expect to be provoked and want to argue back. An essential read for those who value research and its vital contribution to our future. Ken Sloan, Harper Adams University Thrift's wide experience of and genuine passion for the research university has resulted in this first class exposition of them, identifying the challenges they face and how they might be reimagined in light of these, making this book a genuine 'must read' for all those who care about such institutions. Mark Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Southampton A love letter to British universities which, at their purest, demonstrate the best of enlightenment values. With humanity, humility and profundity, Thrift not only articulates why universities matter in transforming society, technology, and public policy but shows why it is important that government needs to sponsor rather than control. Adam Tickell, University of Birmingham Nigel Thrift has been one of the most influential and insightful university leaders of the last 25 years. In this book, he offers a challenging yet compelling vision for how higher education can be reimagined to maximise its impact for the next 25 years. Sir Anthony Seldon, University of Buckingham

"""A compelling read for anyone who cares about the future of our universities. Thrift outlines a distinctive vision for the future of British research universities, arguing for a recasting of their operation to ensure that they remain intellectual lighthouses at a time when their research is needed more than ever to secure a future for our planet."" Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, University of Bristol ""Research universities matter! Thrift provides an unashamed, insightful and personal defence. In doing so he raises existential questions about their future, and argues for their purpose and survival. Expect to be provoked and want to argue back. An essential read for those who value research and its vital contribution to our future."" Ken Sloan, Harper Adams University ""Thrift's wide experience of and genuine passion for the research university has resulted in this first class exposition of them, identifying the challenges they face and how they might be reimagined in light of these, making this book a genuine 'must read' for all those who care about such institutions."" Mark Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Southampton ""A love letter to British universities which, at their purest, demonstrate the best of enlightenment values. With humanity, humility and profundity, Thrift not only articulates why universities matter in transforming society, technology, and public policy but shows why it is important that government needs to sponsor rather than control."" Adam Tickell, University of Birmingham ""Nigel Thrift has been one of the most influential and insightful university leaders of the last 25 years. In this book, he offers a challenging yet compelling vision for how higher education can be reimagined to maximise its impact for the next 25 years."" Sir Anthony Seldon, University of Buckingham"

Author Information

Professor Nigel Thrift is currently the Chair of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management. Previously he was the Executive Director of Schwarzman Scholars. Before that he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Oxford. He is a Visiting Professor in the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford, a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Bristol. His research spans international finance; cities and political life; non-representational theory; affective politics; and the history of time.

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