Event 1 The Public Role of the Academic in Contemporary Society

25 October 2013, The OU in London, 1-11 Hawley Crescent, London NW1

This opening one-day conference explored what it means to be a ‘public intellectual’ in the 21st century, the range of meanings this term carries and the various ways in which academics can wield influence beyond the academy. Speakers included Sarah Churchwell, Professor of American Literature and Public Understanding of the Humanities, University of East Anglia; Rick Holliman, Champion for Public Engagement with Research, The Open University and Paul Lawrence, Associate Dean (Research), Arts Faculty, The Open University. As well as participating in discussions, the student cohort interrogated their own understanding of what it means to be a public intellectual, and reflected on their own ambitions in this regard.

Event 1 Programme

Podcasts

Paul Lawrence set out the aims of the programme as a whole. Paul's presentation considered the varying roles academics have played in public life during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and is followed by discussion.

Rick Holliman focused on the current emphasis placed on research 'impact' and academic 'public engagement' by HEFCE and other funding bodies and how this is generating new modes of working in HEIs.

Sarah Churchwell shared her experience of being a public intellectual, what the experience means personally and how it inflects her working life.