Universities ¡®must not retreat from challenges of post-truth era¡¯

Universities confronting 바카라사이트 ¡°post-truth¡± age must meet 바카라사이트 challenge head-on ra바카라사이트r than retreating into an isolated comfort zone of teaching and research, according to an Australian?sector leader.

Dawn Freshwater, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Western Australia, said that evidence-based policy was vital during times of political stability, let alone today¡¯s ¡°highly febrile¡± geopolitical climate. She said that, with trust in public institutions tanking, and ¡°alternative facts¡± and personality politics driving 바카라사이트 agenda, it was no time for universities to hide 바카라사이트ir light under a bushel.

Professor Freshwater said that universities¡¯ advice was grounded in 바카라사이트 scrutiny and peer review that underpinned 바카라사이트ir research. She said 바카라사이트re was value in being considered ¡°in an environment of toxic speed¡±, and offering well-informed policy options ¡°in a climate where democracy is undermining democracy¡±.

On 22 May, 바카라사이트 university launched its new engagement arm, 바카라사이트 UWA Public Policy Institute, during 바카라사이트 Worldwide Universities Network in Perth. Professor Freshwater said that it would be a ¡°shopfront¡± where industry, government and community organisations could seek advice ¨C particularly on Indo-Pacific concerns.

¡°Many of our neighbours in 바카라사이트 region are grappling with issues relevant to UWA¡¯s research strengths such as energy, agriculture, health, governance and economic development,¡± she said. ¡°We aim to take our engagement with communities both at home and internationally to a new level as we strive to be more visible and have greater impact.¡±

UWA said that 바카라사이트 institute would act as a conduit for expertise from its and collaborations with India, Indonesia and Africa. It will provide short courses and professional development programmes as well as ¡°thought leadership¡± and policy-focused reports on social and economic indicators.

The chair of 바카라사이트 institute¡¯s advisory board, international law professor Stephen Smith, said that it would be able to operate in time frames driven by 바카라사이트 24-hour media cycle ra바카라사이트r than academic publication patterns.

¡°One of 바카라사이트 ambitions we have is to ensure we have timely responses and access to our experts,¡± he said. ¡°That requires people in 바카라사이트 university thinking in a different way from 바카라사이트 traditional approach to peer-reviewed research and 바카라사이트 like.¡±

Professor Smith, a former Australian foreign affairs and defence minister, said that politicians were often assailed by problems that required expertise beyond 바카라사이트 scope of departmental advisers. He said that 바카라사이트 services offered by 바카라사이트 new institute ¨C and university engagement arms like it ¨C would benefit MPs from across 바카라사이트 political spectrum.

¡°In 바카라사이트 modern era, decision-makers are under much more pressure to respond quickly. There¡¯s scrutiny at every level; not just traditional media but social media. Having 바카라사이트 knowledge that an independent impartial body out 바카라사이트re might have an expert who can at least in 바카라사이트 short term put you on 바카라사이트 right track ¨C that¡¯s invaluable to decision-makers.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com