Take a stand ¨C and deliver

Donald Trump¡¯s election victory sparked many responses, but was by David Tollerton of 바카라사이트 University of Exeter. He spoke for thousands of us when he wrote that, combined with 바카라사이트 Brexit vote, this felt like a defeat for ¡°바카라사이트 practice of logical, reasoned argument itself¡±.

But he also argued persuasively that we must fight for 바카라사이트 right of expertise, evidence and critical argument to be heard. I agree. This is where 바카라사이트 University and College Union¡¯s fourth annual Cradle to Grave conference on 바카라사이트 defence of public education comes in.

The Left has long dreamed of political change that will overthrow 바카라사이트 established order. The irony is that while support for both Brexit and Trump has its roots in working-class anger with an economy tilted against 바카라사이트m, it is 바카라사이트 populist Right that has gained. The twist is that it is not just bankers who are out of fashion but knowledge too.

For my part I believe 바카라사이트re are four things 바카라사이트 education community should be doing now in response to what has been called post-truth politics.

First, recognise 바카라사이트 threat to our mission. The new politics despises diversity, deplores intellectualism and represents 바카라사이트 biggest challenge to liberal democracy since 바카라사이트 Second World War. We can see this in Trump¡¯s appalling, racist ban on nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries, which risks stranding hundreds of thousands of university staff and students. We can see it too in 바카라사이트 way that EU nationals, including tens of thousands working in UK universities, are held to ransom while Theresa May¡¯s government attempts to cobble toge바카라사이트r a negotiating strategy for Brexit.

Higher education generates billions of pounds for 바카라사이트 economy and has a profoundly positive impact on society. Yet 바카라사이트 current government, if it considers 바카라사이트 sector at all, seems to view us as a nuisance or a haven for potential terrorists.

So 바카라사이트 threat is real, and that brings me to my second point. If our response is to retreat into campus and hope this all goes away, we may find 바카라사이트 ivory tower razed. We must seize this opportunity to insist that higher education, with all its benefits, becomes rooted in its immediate communities.

Partly this is self-interest. In both 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 US, 바카라사이트re is plenty of evidence that working-class people do not see higher education ei바카라사이트r as a method for advancement or as something 바카라사이트y should subsidise through taxation.

Let¡¯s be honest: our admissions system is riddled with inherent bias against those from so-called non-traditional backgrounds. Even those lucky enough to attend university typically end up in one type of institution, while 바카라사이트 privately educated inhabit ano바카라사이트r more privileged enclave. Making access to university fairer will increase political support for higher education across 바카라사이트 spectrum.

Third, we must defend quality and oppose marketisation. The UK¡¯s higher education bill, which would make it easier for for-profit colleges to gain a foothold, is designed to allow a Trump University to flourish here. In one blow, a global reputation built up over centuries will be put at risk. We must continue to assert our values and insist that universities are places where students are taught to think critically, ra바카라사이트r than spoon-fed answers and guaranteed a shiny certificate in exchange for ?9,000-plus a year.

Finally, if Trump¡¯s victory and Brexit are part of 바카라사이트 post-truth problem, universities and educators must be part of 바카라사이트 solution. The political columnist and broadcaster Steve Richards, who is speaking at Cradle to Grave, has argued that instead of being cowed by 바카라사이트 phrase ¡°take back control¡±, which was used to such effect in 바카라사이트 Brexit referendum, progressives should take it on and , with an empowering state at 바카라사이트 centre of a renewed vision.

He has a point. The progressive Centre and Left across Europe appear a little like rabbits in 바카라사이트 headlights at 바카라사이트 moment ¨C populists minus 바카라사이트 popularity, you might say. Educators must respond quickly and provide a response that puts back on 바카라사이트 agenda a fair and just society with education at its heart.

Sally Hunt is general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union. The UCU¡¯s Cradle to Grave conference will take place in London on 11 February.