Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025
14:43
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
11.9K
Can University Leaders Effectively Promote Research on Complex Societal Challenges? A Change-Agency Perspective
Henning Kroll1,2, Torben Schubert1,3
1Fraunhofer ISI, Breslauer Str. 48, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany.
Higher Education Policy
|June 26, 2023
Summary
Universities can address complex societal challenges by leveraging researchers' agency. University leaders can legitimize interdisciplinary research and coordinate efforts to solve large-scale problems.
Area of Science:
- Higher Education Studies
- Organizational Governance
- Societal Impact of Science
Background:
- Universities face increasing pressure to contribute to solving large-scale, interdisciplinary societal challenges.
- Traditional university governance and disciplinary focus may hinder addressing complex, societal problems effectively.
- A paradox exists between societal demands and internal academic structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore theoretical grounds for universities to develop governance mechanisms for addressing complex societal challenges.
- To investigate how university leaders can foster interdisciplinary approaches to societal problems.
- To identify strategies for overcoming the limitations of disciplinary practices in tackling societal issues.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of university governance and organizational behavior.
- Examination of the role of university leadership in shaping research practices.
- Conceptual framework development for interdisciplinary coordination.
Main Results:
- University leaders cannot solely rely on bureaucratic power to direct research towards societal challenges.
- Leveraging individual researchers' agency is key to encouraging deviation from routine disciplinary practices.
- Developing and legitimizing interdisciplinary 'scripts' is crucial for addressing societal problems.
- A dual role for university management involves legitimizing interdisciplinary research and facilitating coordination.
Conclusions:
- Universities can effectively address complex societal challenges by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
- University leadership plays a critical role in creating an environment conducive to solving societal problems.
- Strategic governance mechanisms can enable universities to meet societal expectations for impact.
Related Concept Videos
00:52Social Proof
27.7K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
27.7K
01:04Social Facilitation
32.0K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
32.0K
01:30Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
51
Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
51
02:12Relationship Formation
40.1K
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
40.1K
01:56Ethics in Research
23.1K
Today, scientists agree that good research is ethical in nature and is guided by a basic respect for human dignity and safety. However, this has not always been the case. Modern researchers must demonstrate that the research they perform is ethically sound.
23.1K
01:30Community Based Intervention
66
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
66