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Speaking a common language? Academic differences across the Atlantic

Friday 16 October 2009

The University of East London (UEL) Centre for Cultural Studies Research and the University of Notre Dame London Centre would like to invite you to a pioneering lecture on the differences between higher education in the US and the UK.

The lecture, called ‘Losing the War of Academic Independence: Tales from the Trenches on Both Sides of the Atlantic’ promises to be an engaging and exciting one.

It will feature David Gunkel, Presidential Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication from Northern Illinois University and Paul Taylor, Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Communication Studies from Leeds University. They are joint authors of the recent Times Higher Education article on ‘Winning the War of Independence’.

Both Speakers will be discussing the US and UK as two countries separated by a common language, but whose university systems do not share that language. Academic independence is a fiercely guarded value in the US, whereas in the UK it has largely vanished into micro-management and corporate ‘initiatives’.

Both Speakers will swap personal experiences of professional life in the two systems and account for the growth of bureaucracy on both sides of the Atlantic that has complicated matters in the university systems.

The lecture will be introduced by Ann Mroz, editor of the Times Higher Education and Greg Kucich, director of the London Program, University of Notre Dame in England. It will be chaired by UEL’s Mica Nava, co-director of the Centre for Cultural Studies Research at UEL and author of Visceral Cosmopolitanism (2007).

Mica Nava said: “This lecture promises to be an exciting one that picks up on the Times Higher debate and takes it to another level. The US and UK speak the same language, yet their university systems couldn’t be wider apart. It will be interesting to see why that is the case and if anything can be done to bring them closer. Both speakers will also look at whether the grass really is greener on the other side.”

The lecture will take place on Friday 23rd October between 5.30 – 7.30pm at the University of Notre Dame London Centre, 1 Suffolk Street London SW1Y 4HG and refreshments will be served.

The event is free but your name must be on the guest list to gain entry. Email g.s.perkins@uel.ac.uk with your details if you would like to be placed on the list. For further information about the debate visit http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=407976

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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