Academics warn of crisis of purpose in universities

Mark Smith; Paul Gilfillan

Academics warn of crisis of purpose in universities

Mark Smith
, Paul Gilfillan

Education and Society

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

This week, The Herald is collaborating with Scottish Affairs - Scotland’s longest running journal on contemporary political and social issues - published by Edinburgh University Press. Each day, academics from across Scotland's universities will be giving their thoughts on Scotland's university crisis: the battle for survival. From finances to management, what is going on behind the scenes at our institutions? What is needed to secure their futures?

Here, Mark Smith and Paul Gilfillan warn Scotland’s universities have surrendered their purpose, trading intellectual inquiry for market logic and consumerism.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Herald
Publication status	Published - 21 Feb 2026

Keywords

Scottish universities: funding, fees and the future
Universities
Education
Finance
National government
Politics
Scotland

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https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/25873562.academics-warn-crisis-purpose-universities/

Cite this

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Academics warn of crisis of purpose in universities

Abstract

Keywords

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