Interactive book on the future of the university: read and participate

A plea for open science in the full breadth. This is the book ‘De Universiteit in Transitie’ that the Rectorate of Utrecht University - Rector Magnificus Henk Kummeling, Vice Rector Teaching & Learning Manon Kluijtmans and Vice Rector Research Frank Miedema - wrote together with the university community. Over the coming months, everyone is invited to provide feedback on the book, which is now available online free of charge (in Dutch). 

During a roundtable discussion from Studio 0.41, the authors illustrate the book and the writing process (and/or watch a short summary).

The university is at the centre of society and has an important role to play in current crises, from climate change to poverty and increasing refugee flows. But we have become too inward-looking as an organisation and the system needs to be cracked open. Frank Miedema: Our communication with the public was mainly a matter of broadcasting. And now we think: maybe we should just listen first.

Open invitation

Where do we want to go in education, research and participation, among other things? And how do we get there in an open way? Those questions Kluijtmans, Kummeling and Miedema discussed during several meetings with staff and students of the university, but also with people from outside. According to the authors, these sessions burst with energy and led to many new ideas. Based on that input, they started writing.

It's not that we have all the wisdom. That is also why we are incredibly keen to get input on this first open version of the book, so that we can trial our vision

The book is absolutely not a planned-out roadmap, says Manon Kluijtmans in the studio interview. It's not that we have all the wisdom. That is also why we are incredibly keen to get input on this first open version of the book, so that we can trial our vision.

Change is always accompanied by dilemmas and mistakes. But the university is a learning organisation. And that is also how this book is intended, clarifies Rector Henk Kummeling. To give insight into what we do and how we think about the future. And explicitly also as an open invitation to everyone to think about this and to participate.

Book and (video of) table discussion

The book (in Dutch) has been published on an open and free platform where interested parties can leave comments and opinions. After collecting all input on the platform and during a series of new, open meetings in the autumn (information to follow), the authors will consider a possible new (print on demand) version of the book and will also consider making an English edition. Please additionally watch the video and/or teaser of the table discussion the three had about the book and the writing process.