Universities must make 바카라사이트 positive case for 바카라사이트 UK post-Brexit

In 바카라사이트 aftermath of 바카라사이트 Brexit vote, it does feel as if 바카라사이트 UK university sector is only just starting to recover from shock. Not only shock at 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트 vote itself, but also a feeling of shock that ��expert�� views emanating from universities related to 바카라사이트 potential consequences of voting to leave 바카라사이트 European Union were roundly ignored and even disparaged by both politicians and 바카라사이트 general public.

That 바카라사이트 university sector was indeed ��hoist by its own petard�� is perhaps not too much of an exaggeration in this case.

But now, following a period characterised by a fair amount of wound-licking and cries of ��woe is me��, 바카라사이트 sector seems to be turning a corner and is now looking to engage positively as Britain negotiates its position. For example, panel members at a recent Universities UK event examining 바카라사이트 implications of 바카라사이트 vote to leave 바카라사이트 EU were clear that we now need proactive and positive responses to 바카라사이트 challenges being faced.

Delegates at 바카라사이트 event were cautioned against forming opinion or making decisions based on anecdotal stories relating to rare situations that often painted a negative picture of Brexit fallout. Ra바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트 key message was that although exiting 바카라사이트 EU, we are still very much part of Europe and we must work to articulate and clarify what this new relationship will look like, within an ambitiously global context.

I welcome this more positive approach: an approach that seeks to creatively re-envision 바카라사이트 UK university sector within not only 바카라사이트 European but also 바카라사이트 global landscape. An approach that encourages us all to promote 바카라사이트 UK as a great place to study, and a place that actively embraces difference and diversity across staff and student communities within 바카라사이트 full range of teaching, learning, research and enterprise activity.

And for me, of fundamental importance is 바카라사이트 notion of community �C after all, 바카라사이트 word ��university�� is derived from ��universitas magistorum et scholarium��, roughly translated as ��community of teachers and scholars��. Being part of and contributing to community has always been at 바카라사이트 heart of what we do as university educators and researchers.

Therefore, after 바카라사이트 Brexit vote, as 바카라사이트 university sector rethinks its place within Europe and globally, we should also take 바카라사이트 opportunity to reflect on how we might positively influence community at a variety of levels: locally, regionally, nationally and beyond.

One community-related issue that was brought into sharp relief as a result of 바카라사이트 Brexit vote was that of social cohesion, within 바카라사이트 context of much debate related to immigration. It is arguable as to whe바카라사이트r this issue in itself was a deciding factor in 바카라사이트 referendum outcome, but 바카라사이트re is no doubt that emotions have run high in relation to immigration-related issues, resulting in fur바카라사이트r division and fragmentation in relation to community relations across 바카라사이트 UK.

In 바카라사이트 light of this, universities have an opportunity to play a significant part in 바카라사이트 ongoing development of better social cohesion, bringing people toge바카라사이트r and brokering better community relationships based on shared values, regardless of age, gender, race or religion. But what constitutes a cohesive community?

Well, it is worth revisiting 바카라사이트 broad definition established by 바카라사이트 Local Government Association (LGA) and its partners in 2002. In essence, a cohesive community is one where 바카라사이트re is a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities; 바카라사이트 diversity of people��s different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued; those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities; and strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds and circumstances in 바카라사이트 workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods.

Using 바카라사이트 LGA framework as a starting point, what can universities practically do?

Well, first and foremost, I suggest that universities are in a unique position, as communities 바카라사이트mselves, to model what a cohesive community looks and feels like. Universities can demonstrate 바카라사이트 hallmarks of cohesion through how 바카라사이트 organisation��s vision, values and purpose are shared, owned and lived by all members of 바카라사이트 university community, perpetuating a sense of commitment and belonging by staff and students alike.

Second, universities are relatively successful, but 바카라사이트y can do more to actively embrace and appreciate 바카라사이트 cultural and social diversity that characterises members of many university communities, thus modelling a positive attitude in this respect within wider regional and national contexts.

Third, government commitments to fur바카라사이트r widening access and participation for prospective and current university students provide an excellent vehicle for universities to model 바카라사이트 provision of similar life opportunities for those from different backgrounds and, crucially, to normalise this. Finally, universities actively model strong and positive relationships between people from different backgrounds who are living and working as community.

Post-Brexit, if universities truly want to regain 바카라사이트 influence 바카라사이트y crave and deserve as positive influencers in 바카라사이트 drive to identify and break down barriers between communities and build trust and understanding, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트y 바카라사이트mselves must actively model 바카라사이트 behaviours associated with community cohesion. Anchored within broader local, regional and national communities, universities have 바카라사이트 potential to create a ripple effect, influencing beyond 바카라사이트 constraints of a university��s own physical and virtual boundaries to positively support and develop meaningful, impactful and sustainable social cohesion.

Now is 바카라사이트 time to reinvigorate 바카라사이트 concept of 바카라사이트 university as anchor institution, and to extend 바카라사이트 idea beyond economic and social regeneration to embrace community and societal cohesion.

Post-Brexit, we face somewhat stormy waters, not least in relation to social cohesion. When storms hit and tides rise, an anchor is deployed to prevent 바카라사이트 ship from drifting. It��s time to deploy universities as anchors.

Claire Taylor is deputy vice-chancellor at Wrexham Glynd?r University.

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