What Could a University Be? A Panel Discussion

Robert Gibbs’ recent book, What Could a University Be? Revolutionary Ideas for the Future, based on his 2019 JV Clyne lecture series at Green College, raises fundamental questions about the education our research universities offer students. By focusing on the possibilities for all of our students to learn how to do research, the book proposes three revolutions that help guide a series of changes that are underway at our universities. 

These revolutions—Upside-Down, Inside-Out, and Round and Round—together describe switching the flow of research, especially the questions, from the students to the faculty; tapping into the flow of questions from society into the university with commuting students, thus connecting with the community; and engaging the variety of modes of research across the diverse faculties. The panel will explore the book’s new ideas and proposed revolutions from a range of fields.

This event is open to the general public and does not require registration (but please note that our seating is limited). Lemonade will be served at 4:30 pm, and the event will be followed by a reception in the Piano Lounge, Graham House.

Dr Robert Gibbs is a professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Toronto. He was the inaugural director of the Jackman Humanities Institute at the University of Toronto, where he engaged in exploring new horizons for humanities research, supporting leading scholars at all career stages. He presented a JV Clyne lectures series at Green College in 2019, from which he formed the core of his recent book What Could a University Be? Revolutionary Ideas for the Future. His research is located on the borderlines of philosophy and religion, with a focus on Jewish philosophy and related fields in continental philosophy.

As the provost and vice president, academic, UBC Vancouver, Dr Gage Averill plays a vital role, with a range of responsibilities that include providing vision and leadership to the Faculties, overseeing the budget, leading institutional planning, and ensuring UBC maintains excellence in its delivery of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education. Dr Averill served as provost and vice president, academic pro tem, UBC Vancouver, April to December 2022. Prior to this, he was dean in the Faculty of Arts, where he engaged in campus-wide initiatives such as the Information Technology Advisory Council, Public Humanities Hub, UBC Health, UBC Sustainability, Flexible Learning, Remote Work, and the Joint Consultation Committee with the Faculty Association. During his time as dean, the Faculty of Arts created new schools, institutes, research centres, and interdisciplinary programs. Dr Averill is also a renowned ethnomusicologist, whose research in Haitian popular music has earned him several awards. He joined UBC in 2010 after holding positions as vice principal, academic, and dean for the University of Toronto, Mississauga campus, and also dean of Music at the University of Toronto. Prior to that, he served as chair of the Department of Music at New York University. He received his BA and PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of Washington.

Dr Helga Hallgrímsdóttir is deputy provost at the University of Victoria, where she leads key strategic initiatives to advance the university’s academic mission. Her recent leadership achievements include guiding the creation of UVic’s new Faculty of Health as well as the Accessibility Plan. A professor in the School of Public Administration, Dr Hallgrímsdóttir has held numerous leadership positions, including dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Development, Acting director of the School of Child and Youth Care, and president of the UVic Faculty Association. Dr Hallgrímsdóttir is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work spans political and historical sociology, public policy, and health. Her principal research focus is on questions of social and political inclusion in diverse settings—how citizenship, participatory governance, welfare policy, collective bargaining, and social movements intersect with health and well-being. Her research has been supported by SSHRC, CIHR, and the Erasmus Jean Monnet Program. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Western University.

Jaclyn J. Stewart is a Professor of Teaching in the Department of Chemistry and the Associate Dean Academic in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. From 2010-2017, she directed the Department of Chemistry’s involvement in the UBC Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative, which transformed over 180 courses in the Faculty of Science to adopt evidence-informed instructional methods. As Associate Dean, she oversees the undergraduate science curriculum and seeks to empower faculty to shape UBC’s culture of teaching, learning, and assessment. Her current passion is leading a Canada-wide community of science educators and researchers who are investigating course-level equity and developing inclusive educational practices at eleven universities and counting. Jackie received the Award for Chemistry Education from the Chemical Institute of Canada in 2022 and the UBC Killam Teaching Prize in 2006 and 2010.