Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ Leave to Achieve?: A new framework for universities to drive local social mobility

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

There's an important point lurking in this article. "Having a university - or, indeed, many universities - in your region doesn't guarantee improved local social mobility," writes Dani Payne. "We must broaden how we assess universities' social mobility impact. To be able to understand when, why and how the benefits of an institution do or don't reach into local communities, we must also consider their roles as major employers, civic actors and research hubs." The main point here is the need to connect universities with their communities, to become an essential part of the community. The framing here is very traditionally classist, dealing with jobs and leadership and social mobility. I'd prefer to see something more along the lines of engagement and empowerment. But the main point remains sound.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Jul 20, 2025 09:30 a.m.

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