Universities and Democracies in an Age of Education Reform: Civil Society, Public Engagement, and the Future of Higher Education

Universities have long been seen as anchor institutions for democracies, producing the educated citizenry needed for a healthy and informed public life. However, in recent years, universities have come under increasing pressure to reform, with calls for greater efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of the economy. One key element of this reform agenda has been a focus on increasing public engagement, with universities being urged to do more to connect with the communities they serve.

Dewey's Dream: Universities and Democracies in an Age of Education Reform, Civil Society, Public Schools, and Democratic Citizenship

by Lee Benson

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1393 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Print length	:	160 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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This push for public engagement is driven by a number of factors. First, there is a growing recognition that universities are not simply ivory towers, but rather have a vital role to play in addressing the challenges facing society. From climate change to economic inequality, universities have the expertise and resources to make a significant contribution to public problem-solving. Second, there is a growing demand from students and the public for universities to be more responsive to their needs. Students want to know that their education is relevant to the world they live in, and the public wants to see universities making a positive impact on society.

In response to these pressures, universities are developing a wide range of public engagement initiatives. These initiatives include:

• Public lectures and events
• Community-based research and service learning
• Partnerships with schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations
• Online courses and other digital outreach

These initiatives are designed to connect universities with the communities they serve and to make their research and teaching more relevant to the public. By engaging with the public, universities can help to strengthen democracy, promote economic development, and improve the quality of life for all.

Civil Society and Public Engagement

Civil society plays a vital role in supporting and promoting public engagement. Civil society organizations (CSOs) can help to connect universities with the communities they serve, provide resources and expertise, and advocate for policies that support public engagement. CSOs can also play a role in holding universities accountable for their public engagement commitments.

There are a number of ways that CSOs can support public engagement. For example, CSOs can:

• Partner with universities to develop and implement public engagement initiatives
• Provide resources and expertise to universities, such as funding, staff, and research
• Advocate for policies that support public engagement, such as funding for public engagement initiatives and policies that encourage universities to engage with the public
• Hold universities accountable for their public engagement commitments, such as by monitoring their progress and reporting on their results

CSOs can play a vital role in supporting and promoting public engagement. By working together, universities and CSOs can help to strengthen democracy, promote economic development, and improve the quality of life for all.

The Future of Higher Education

The future of higher education is uncertain. However, one thing is certain: universities will continue to play a vital role in society. Universities are the engines of innovation and discovery, and they are the places where the next generation of leaders is educated. In the face of increasing challenges, universities must continue to adapt and evolve. They must become more efficient, accountable, and responsive to the needs of society. They must also do more to engage with the public and to make their research and teaching more relevant to the world we live in.

The future of higher education is in our hands. By working together, universities, CSOs, and the public can create a future in which higher education is accessible, affordable, and relevant to the needs of society.

Image Credits:

• University of Glasgow by University of Glasgow is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
• UC Davis Quad by University of California is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
• UNC-Chapel Hill by UNC-Chapel Hill is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Dewey's Dream: Universities and Democracies in an Age of Education Reform, Civil Society, Public Schools, and Democratic Citizenship

by Lee Benson

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1393 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Print length	:	160 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE