So where should the world look for change?

I cannot remember if I read it somewhere (so I cannot acknowledge the source - sorry) or heard it in conversation, but I have been thinking about this challenge for a few days now: are Universities really producing new ideas - or even radical new thinkers? I thought (or think) that the idea of a University was to be a place where people learn to think, and actually practice that process on a daily basis. I think that we are supposed to be employed (and supported in part by tax-payers money) to be a breeding ground of new ideas which will help the world to move in new directions.

I also think that a lot of what we actually do is perpetuate old models and old ways of doing. I think that we don't grapple with the big questions enough. It is partly because of the massification of higher education: with all the extra bodies who see a degree or diploma as a meal ticket we have more work to do that is not thinking. This work is also important, but does not on its own solve the big problems. It is also partly because many of us are very conservative - we do not see the problems and there is not much reward in going against the flow of conventional wisdom. We are held in check by the people who pay our salaries – the funders and “stakeholders” who need our “products”.

I guess what really worries me is that we have built the University into a position where the next great idea cannot grow. On the other hand, there is always a maverick somewhere who makes the system work for him/her and finds the time to break the rules and forge new ones. I think we need some mavericks who care about the world, its people and the earth and are willing and able to carve out some time to think ... and to give us some great ideas to act on.

what to do with "free" time

I guess the first thing I need to emphasise is that there is no such thing as free time in academia. For the next three months I have no classes to teach (except for 12 afternoons of practicals and marking of exams) and so I have "free time". Time that is available to read theses (drafts from my two PhD and one MSc students who are writing up) and write papers and design research programs. Time that is available to read papers in my field (which are produced at the rate of hundreds every week). Time to sort out my laboratory and office so that they are both more efficient. Time to write grant proposals and progress reports. Time to attend committee meetings (necessary but not always pleasant or productive). "Free" time. The real challenge with free time is choice. Of all the loudly screaming demands on my time - which shall I choose?

I read a while ago that when you live life according to your personal values you are more effective and more satisfied. my personal values include building into family and building relationships, so I plan to spend some of my "free time" (hereafter FT) with family and with my post graduate students. They are after all the biggest determinants of success in research.