The role of higher education in the post-truth era

Parker, Jonathan

Abstract

The rise in populism and movements that threaten trust in science and expertise has been labelled a post-truth world. What challenges does this environment present for higher education, and how should it respond? This article examines the characteristics of a post-truth world and how that challenges the fundamental purposes of higher education. It then examines how higher education might respond, what risks come with that response, and how effectively it might resist attempts to attack and undermine its different purposes. These movements undermine possibilities for truth or objective knowledge, presenting a clear threat to higher education. Its response focuses around improving research and communication with the public, but the nature of cognitive processes in a polarized world leads people to discount information that does not fit with their existing world views and values. Simply providing better research will not solve the problem, and actively engaging with these movements can make higher education seem more partisan, further reducing trust. In the face of such intractable problems, it is important for higher education to also nurture communities with its students that foster trust and ‘critical loyalty’ to knowledge and truth over falsehoods and conspiracy.

Citation

Parker, J. (in press). The role of higher education in the post-truth era. Journal of Political Science Education,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 23, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 4, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Political Science Education
• Print ISSN: 1551-2169
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: post truth; polarization; trust; epistemic community; curriculum; students as partners
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/845969