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As part of the Centre for Public Policy Research's seminar series Tristan McCowan from UCL will be presenting on issues related to higher education

About the seminar

In contrast to the previous Millennium Development Goals, the Sustainable Development Goals, established and adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, give a central role to higher education.

It appears not only as a target for expanding access, but as a driver of the full set of goals, through professional development, research and innovation, and community engagement. Yet can the university fulfill these weighty expectations, and what kind of university would correspond to the role?

This presentation analyses various models of the university, and assesses current threats from marketisation, status competition and unbundling. Finally, it considers alternatives to the developmental model, drawing on indigenous knowledge systems, looking beyond the SDG framework to the creation of a new form of society.

Speaker biography

Tristan’s work focuses primarily on issues of higher education and international development. His research covers areas of access to, quality of and equity in higher education, and relates to a broad range of contexts, particularly in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

He is currently conducting multi-country research projects focusing on higher education pedagogy, graduate destinations and the public good in Africa.

Past work has also focused on citizenship education and human rights. Tristan’s research interests also include alternative and innovative universities, and he is also involved in research on indigenous education in the Brazilian Amazon and Mexico.

Event details

There's no need to book; please do come along to room 2/19 in the Waterloo Bridge Wing of the Franklin-Wilkins Building. 

Event details

Waterloo Bridge Wing, Room 2/19
Franklin-Wilkins Building
Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street London, SE1 9NH