Shiko Gathuo (Urban Studies) recently published an article “Extending the Progressive Tradition to Poor Countries” in a special issue of Higher Learning Research Communication. It discusses “the external environmental challenges and the internal constraints that universities and colleges must grapple with in their efforts to play in the global sphere,” as well as ways that universities can contribute to the global common good through their actions, both internally and externally.
“American universities and colleges have always been a bastion of liberalism and progressive thought. Historically, the academic community has supported social justice issues, given a voice to the poor, minorities and the disadvantaged, and brought to light subjects that are considered taboo elsewhere,” Gathuo writes in her abstract. “Indeed, many social movements have either started in American universities or been energized by the actions of university students and faculty, and often with the support of university administrations. Yet, when it comes to dealing with global issues that affect poor nations, universities have not always acted as change agents. In some cases, universities have to been passive onlookers or been complacent in participating in maintaining the status quo.”
Higher Learning Research Communication aims to advance universal knowledge on teaching and learning in higher education through a better understanding of institutional policies and educational practices.