S1 Ep12: Episode 12: Mobile Maverick University

The latest episode in the My Imaginary University podcast series stars Vicki Stott, Chief Executive Officer of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Vicki's imagined institution is very much in a utopian vein with a near unlimited funding stream (thanks to Bill and Melinda) and little regulatory intervention. The university is described as a coalition of mavericks but where everyone has responsibility for delivering social benefit as well as education and research. Remarkably though the university moves to a different brownfield location every 25 years or so once its key local goals have been met but leaving a powerful legacy behind.

Completely contextual admissions, civic engagement in every course, no exams and free lunches for all are other distinctive features of the institution. Leadership is distributed among those staff who measure up to Vice-Chancellor Vicki's severe criteria which include tattoos and creative swearing. Perhaps surprisingly there is a question mark about the place of the students' union although nothing is banned on campus.

It's a fantastic social experiment with massive social, economic and health benefits and one which I am sure will find favour with many (although Vicki's audibly snoring dog clearly disagreed). Finally there is an exciting and highly relevant crowd-sourced Spotify playlist to listen to afterwards.

You can find the playlist, which has some entertaining selections, here.