Progress university
From Wikiprogress.org
|
|
|
GRPNet work streams are run by core GPRNet members. Members are invited to each work stream (there are four) with a nominated stream leader. The work of each member is posted directly onto this page, thus developing the knowledge by process. Relevant topics and directions of information will develop under the supervision of the leader.
Stream leader:
Stream leader email:
Stream Members (add your name):
Deadline for finalized proposal and action plan: October 2011
Progress University development
In building a global research network which will hinge so pivotally on the support and core work of universities around the world, careful thought needs to be given to the best way to engage universities, in terms of auspice, internal culture, research processes and partnership options. The medium term goal should be to build a global network of key universities linked together around shared tasks and a common commitment to the goals, values and outcomes of the GPRNet and the Global Project.
This goal will need to be pursued steadily but realistically and with recognition of some initial barriers. For example, in many countries, collaboration and interdisciplinary research is made harder by the increasing emphasis on competitiveness and maximising the corporate goals of individual universities and the increasingly tough competition for declining research funds, which makes universities much less inclined to share knowledge or resources. On the other hand, an idea can be so compelling as to create a bandwagon effect that breaks these barriers: and this may be just such an idea.
The initial strategy might be to identify the most likely universities in each region to play a role as leaders and initiators, by virtue of their general eminence or because they host an outstanding research centre relevant to the project. Letters inviting universities to join this network (or a specific project built around the Global Project and the GPRNet project) could be sent to the Vice Chancellors/Rectors and other eminent researchers . Another ‘engagement strategy’ might be to develop a wider rolling campaign seeking universities to sign up to a Declaration on research and education aspects of the Global project, perhaps following a special conference aimed at key universities; this Declaration could be sponsored by one of the key university ‘engagement’ networks discussed below.
Contents |
List of Potential Universities to Engage
Two key peak university/education bodies which should be actively engaged in the network’s development are the UNESCO based International Association of Universities (IAU) and the Council of Europe’s Higher Education and Research Division (HERD).
(a) Measuring progress fits very well with the current highest priority theme of the IAU (sustainable development). It may be possible for the IAU to devote one of their global conferences to ‘The role of universities in promoting and measuring societal progress’. The 2008 general conference was on the theme ‘Addressing local and global needs’ (see: www.unesco.org/iau ).
(b) HERD’s relevant current priority themes include: ‘Social Sciences and the Challenges of Transition’; ‘Universities as Sites of Citizenship’; and ‘The Research Mission of Universities’. (see: www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereducation/Activities_en.asp
From the perspective of applied research, network building and community and organisational partnerships with universities, perhaps the most critical and relevant network for the GPRN to engage and work with is the broad and growing university‐community engagement network. This network, although constituted fairly loosely through several different global organisations, is already committed to the most important goals and values of the MPS project (integrated development, applied research, open debate, democratic sharing of knowledge, community partnerships etc); and already has excellent practical ‘on the ground’ networks. The key global networks and their focuses are:
(a) The Global Universities Network for Innovation (GUNI): sponsored by UNESCO and UNU, focusing on implementation of the 1998 UNESCO World Declaration on Higher Education, which stressed the role of higher education in promoting innovation, social development and sustainability: http://www.guni‐rmies.net/
(b) The University Community Partnership for Social Action Research (UCP SARnet): a global network of ‘faculty, students and community activists’ with a strong presence in Asia and Africa and especially directed at young researchers committed to ‘searching for solutions to global issues (through) multicultural dialogue and (participatory) action research’: http://ucpsarnet.iglooprojects.org/
(c)The Global Alliance for Community Engaged Research: a Canadian‐based world network aiming to ‘use the strengths of existing networks to advance the common A Global Progress Research Network ‐ page 9
global purpose of using knowledge and community‐university partnership strategies for democratic social and environmental change and justice, particularly among the most vulnerable people and places of the world’: http://communityresearchcanada.ca/?action=alliance
(d)The International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility and Democracy: a US‐based and Council of Europe supported network focused on the role of education in promoting democratic development: http://www.internationalconsortium.org/about
The OECD's Education Direcorate has a huge contact list. We could also put out a call with then for their next newsletter.
Wikiprogress and Wikigender have a network of Universities as well that can be tapped into.
It may be useful to consider appointing a specific organisation as the key coordinating and ‘recruiting’ agency for both universities and research networks. One example of such an organisation is the Australian‐based Eidos Institute, which is effectively a national university network builder around themes such as university –community engagement and human capital. Headed by Professor Bruce Muirhead, Eidos specialises in ‘rapid mobilisation of networks and its associates include two influential researchers also connected to the MPS project, Jeff Mulgan and Tom Bentley. (See: www.eidos.org.au )
GPRNet draft document for universities
- GPRNet draft document for universities - please feel free to comment in the space below.
