Ronald Barnett (Arts Combined, St Cuthbert's Society, 1967-1970) is Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Education, University of London. He is a leading Philosopher, theorist and analyst of higher education.

In his book, The Ecological University: A Feasible Utopia (2018, Routledge), he set out the very idea of the ecological university.  Ron argued that that idea should be understood in the broadest way, exploiting the potential of the concept of ecology.  Ecosystems straddle fact and value: they are large presences, are constituted by many entities that are interconnected, are of inherent value, and yet are characteristically impaired.  

There are eight ecosystems that are of especial significance here: knowledge, learning, individuals, society, culture, the polity, the economy and Nature. The ecological university is a university that takes this milieu of ecosystems very seriously.  

That earlier book of Ron's was unable to address the question: What might it mean to realise the ecological university?   In his Durham lecture, he shall begin to do just that, and he shall indicate considerations that any university might entertain in advancing its interconnections with each one of those eight ecosystems.   Finally, Ron shall also suggest implications for the leadership and management of just such a university.

This idea of the ecological is nothing short of an idea of the university for now; and for every university in the world.  The university has both responsibilities and possibilities before it but we lack an idea of the university that has potency across the totality of what it is to be a university.  The idea of the ecological university offers us just such an understanding – and a basis for much needed leadership, strategy and action.  Time is not on our side.

To join this event at Elvet Riverside (Lecture Theatre ER201, 83 New Elvet, Durham DH1 3AQ) in Durham or online, please register using the booking tab above.