Slow, critical, better science: The “Slow Scholarship” movement as approach to the question of excellence in today’s academic culture (3.3)
This panel considers the notion of excellence and equal opportunities in higher education in Switzerland. The contributions discuss the question of a “better science” and a contemporary academic practice that favours quality over quantity, offers a more sustainable work environment and supports intellectual growth and personal freedom for academics.
Based on the assumption of an economised university and stiff neoliberal competition within academia, the contributions offer approaches on how “slow scholarship” contributes to the development of collective strategies aiming to change academic conditions and practice. Likewise, the contributions discuss how an ethics of critical academic culture that benefits academics and society can be established.
Further, Julia Cahenzli Jenkins, Head of Unit for the Ambizione, Eccellenza and PRIMA programmes at the careers division at the SNSF, provides information on the SNSF’s motivation for signing and implementing the DORA Declaration. Thus, the panel contributes to the ongoing debate of questioning the criteria of excellence and the institutionalisation of an ethics of care in academia. The panel will introduce and situate the movement for “Slow Scholarship”, followed by a presentation of the calls to action of the Swiss initiative “Better Science” and the implementation of the call for qualitative assessment at the SNSF.
Inputs
(1) Alexander Vorbrugg, Uni Bern, Karin Schwiter, UZH
(2) Maria Lissek, Uni Bern, Joel Schaad, Office for Gender Equality Uni Bern
(3) Julia Cahenzli, Abteilung Karrieren, Bereichsleiterin Ambizione, Eccellenza, PRIMA
Moderation
Patricia Felber, ZHdK
Format: classic panel: presentations & discussion
Language: English
Thematic Field: Meritocracy, excellence & inequality