Revitalizing the University: A Provocative Pamphlet for Change

Presenting a thought-provoking manifesto, esteemed professors Ingrid Robeyns, Remco Breuker, and Rens Bod address the pressing issues plaguing our universities today. It is time for a much-needed transformation. The university is in crisis - facing chronic underfunding, coupled with more profound challenges such as the overwhelming influx of students, the rise of anti-intellectual political factions, and the prevailing notion that education and research should not incur excessive costs to society. These issues have not only led to an identity crisis within academia but have also spawned an unhealthy, oppressive work environment, reminiscent of feudal power dynamics, as research time diminishes.

A Bridging Divide: Reconnecting the Sciences and the Humanities

Furthermore, a manufactured rift, enthusiastically exploited by the media and politicians, has emerged between the "soft" social sciences and humanities disciplines and the "hard" technical and STEM fields. Amidst all these challenges, the crucial question of the university's role in the twenty-first-century society remains unanswered.

Unlocking Potential: Forty Provocative Propositions

In this groundbreaking pamphlet, these leading scholars, who are actively engaged in movements to renew the university, put forth forty daring propositions that aim to restore relevance, feasibility, enjoyability, and affordability to academia. Drawing on their expertise, Rens Bod, distinguished professor of computational and digital humanities at the University of Amsterdam; Remco Breuker, esteemed professor of Korean studies at Leiden University; and Ingrid Robeyns, acclaimed professor of institutional ethics at Utrecht University, offer concrete proposals that challenge the status quo and offer a path toward meaningful change.

Revitalizing the university is not just about fiscal stability; it requires addressing systemic flaws and embracing an inclusive, interdisciplinary approach. This pamphlet is an invitation to ignite a vital conversation, to imagine a university that is adaptable, supportive, and above all, capable of shaping a better future for all. Join the discourse and be part of the movement to transform our universities for generations to come.