What Normative Foundation for the Diffusion of Academic Knowledge? An Inquiry in Philosophy of Education

This research project will investigate the accountability of universities in the dissemination of academic knowledge to the larger society. This project explores the normative grounds, i.e. the reasons that entail an obligation, on which universities justify their dissemination engagement and processes. More specifically, what are the current models for higher education institutions regarding the transmission of knowledge, and are those normative engagements convincing? To answer those questions, this project will (1) gather and identify the explicit aims conferred to higher education in real-life post-compulsory institutions, and (2) conceptualize and clarify the different university models it encourages or creates. This project will use a comparison analysis between the American, Canadian, and Quebecer higher education systems to highlight the leading values that inform different political and institutional decisions. This project ultimately wants to determine if the dissemination of knowledge is an aim for higher education institutions and universities in general, and if so, to identify the best practices to encourage the dissemination of knowledge.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mathilde Cambron-Goulet

Student:

Partner:

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

Université du Québec à Montréal

Program: