Universities in a Changing Environment

9th Feb 2009 00:00

In this inaugural lecture, Professor Michael Depledge will consider the changing role of UK universities.

The World around us is changing at an unprecedented rate. Rapid population growth, the ageing demographic, globalisation and anthropogenic climate change are posing challenges to all nations. How can we ensure that our societies survive and indeed flourish? Are there lessons from the past that can be learnt and where will new opportunities arise in the future?

British universities have always played a part, both nationally and internationally, in helping us to understand the World in which we live through research and scholarship. They have also produced highly innovative thinkers and large numbers of well trained individuals who have contributed to our prosperity and to our influence in the international community. In times of great need such as during the First and Second World Wars, bright academics of all ages played vital roles in providing solutions to a wide range of threats. In this presentation, the changing role of UK universities over the years will be considered.
Numerous positive contributions and far reaching failures of the university system will be examined. The ways in which UK universities might help us to meet the current and future needs of UK society, and provide leadership and guidance in the face of rapid global environmental change will then be explored.

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