New research indicates that higher education institutions, while serving as vital social infrastructure, are currently underequipped to help communities address escalating climate disruptions and economic vulnerabilities. The study suggests that if universities were more accessible, widely distributed, and deeply connected with their communities akin to public libraries they could significantly contribute to more equitable and sustainable futures.

The paper, titled "Universities, polycrisis and regional redistribution: The need for radical transformation," highlights that many universities are prioritising their own economic survival in an increasingly financialised, competitive, and underfunded environment. This focus often detracts from their potential to support communities and the broader public good, disincentivising academic work focused on climate action and community needs. This can also erode public trust.

For example, underfunded universities are more susceptible to accepting donations from fossil fuel interests, which can undermine climate initiatives. Similarly, overworked academics have less capacity for climate related research, and students burdened by debt often prioritise their financial futures over global issues. The study argues that this financialisation severely impedes universities' ability to facilitate the systemic changes necessary to effectively combat climate change and reduce societal injustices.

Co authored by Dr Martin Sokol, Associate Professor of Economic Geography at Trinity College Dublin, and Professor Jennie C. Stephens, Professor of Climate Justice at the ICARUS Climate Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, the research proposes a fundamental shift in university operations.

Dr Sokol notes that many universities prioritise international rankings over the well being of their local communities. Professor Stephens emphasises the unsustainability of the current approach for a healthy future. Drawing on their experience in Irish, UK, and US universities, the researchers advocate for increased public investment in higher education. This would enable a spatial redistribution of institutions, moving away from the current concentration in urban centres and economically prosperous regions.

The authors propose a new model of "climate justice universities" with a collective, inclusive, and public good mission. These institutions would actively collaborate with local and regional communities to co create knowledge and solutions for urgent needs. This vision contrasts sharply with the current dominant model of individualistic, profit seeking, and exclusive institutions.

Key shifts for climate justice universities include:

  • Moving from tuition fees to free public education.

  • Shifting focus from technological innovation to social innovation.

  • Prioritising community well being over maximising university revenue.

This pioneering analysis is published in the peer reviewed international journal Review of Regional Research as part of a special issue on "The changing role of universities in the context of regional sustainability transformations."

Sokol and Stephens assert that aligning university investments with the public good is crucial for a more equitable and stable future. Professor Stephens concludes, "The structure and financing of universities has a big influence on what society prioritises and how we collectively prepare for an increasingly disruptive future. Right now, too many universities seem to be pretending that things are not as bad as they are. Systemic change is urgently needed in society, and restructuring higher education is a prerequisite for that – otherwise universities will continue to reinforce the status quo.”

Dr Sokol adds that in an "age of polycrisis," adopting a "climate justice" lens can position universities as a "game changing resource" for resilient regional economies and thriving local communities. He stresses that new investments in spatially distributed higher education would be critically important for households and communities in climate vulnerable regions.