Professor Chris Higgins

A metaphor - Durham as the ‘Princeton of Europe’

Princeton – or Durham?

As a research university, it seeks to achieve the highest levels of distinction in the discovery and transmission of knowledge and understanding, and in the education of graduate students.

At the same time, it is distinctive among research universities in its commitment to undergraduate teaching.

The University provides its students with academic, extracurricular and other resources -- in a residential community committed to diversity in its student body, faculty and staff -- that help them achieve at the highest scholarly levels and prepare them for positions of leadership and lives of service in many fields of human endeavor.

PrincetonUniversity

“…. to instill in each graduate those qualities of mind and character necessary for good citizenship and wise leadership. They include a broad intellectual curiosity that embraces open-mindedness coupled with critical thinking; respect for our moral and cultural inheritance coupled with a capacity for innovation and change; an appreciation of the shared destiny and common humanity of all peoples; and core principles of responsibility, integrity and courage.”

“ …what is most distinctive is the emphasis on providing students with ample opportunity to explore and then deepen their academic interests. It is not uncommon to hear students talk about "finding their passion" as a student – and this passion later informs choices about what to do after graduation”.

PrincetonUniversity

PrincetonUniversity

Student experience Sports and Arts

PrincetonUniversity

Student ExperienceColleges as Communities

Geography and History

Old foundationsLocated in small, historic town

PrincetonUniversity

PrincetonUniversity

“If you have never been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It’s wonderful” Bill Bryson,

Academic Activities

Relatively Small and punch well above weight

Princeton: 850 faculty; 2295 Graduates; 4850 undergraduatesDurham: 1500 faculty; 3000 graduates; 12000 undergraduates

eg. Earth Sciences ResearchArthur Holmes (Durham, 1928) - theory of sea floor spreading with

Mantle convection currents Harry Hess (Princeton, 1950s) developed idea

and eventually incorporated in the theory of plate tectonics

Cosmology ResearchCitations per paper 1996-2006

1 -Durham 33.72 Carnegie Institute 32.9

3 -Princeton 32.00

PrincetonUniversity

Academic Activities

Strengths across sciences, arts and social science

Historic/Influential collections and museums

Interdisciplinary ResearchIAS

PrincetonUniversity

Funding

PrincetonUniversity

£6.33B endowment or £47.3M endowment

No annual funding or 40% of funds guaranteed annually

Endowment interest £300M or £200M turnover

No Constraints or Government Constraints

Why aspire? Landscape is changing around us…..

Globalisation of ResearchGlobalisation of EducationChanges in ways of paying for education

……can’t rest on laurels. If we stand still we will go backwards

We have the fundamental underpinning to aspire…..staff, students, ethos, history and place

Research

True international research excellence must underpin all Departments

Many Departments in top 5 in UK equivalent to OxbridgeEnglish (1); History (2); Chemistry (3); Geography (3); Physics (4); Engineering (4).

Aim for all Departments in top 5 (5* in RAE terms) Ensure world-class ‘units’ remain so - don’t spread too thinNurture individual research stars Undertake research which makes a differenceDeliver Interdisciplinarity and Big Ideas World class Facilities/Libraries to use and to attract visitors

•Cradle to Grave

•Undergraduates

Excellence in research-led teaching

Recruit ‘Best and Brightest’ - from wherever

Develop Future Leaders – people who make a difference

• Postgraduates

Increase proportion of PGR – from wherever

Provide Scholarships/Facilities

• Experience

Excellence in Distinctive College communities, arts, sports

International, multicultural communities

Learning/Student Experience

Community

Sense of Place – County Durham/Teeside

•Enhance as place to live and work

•Enhance Economy/Education

•Enhance Architecture/Events/Facilities/Public Art

Princeton700,000 visitors $1.6B to economy

Durham 60,000 visitors

Communications

Identify what is ‘distinct’ about Durham and let everyone know – be proud of what Durham achieves

International university, national impact, regional location

Participate regionally, nationally and internationally – make a difference

Identify activities with Durham – let people know what the University does (inside and out)

Use alumni – extremely loyal

OperationsFrom the Duke of Wellington to the British Foreign Office in London

Gentlemen: Whilst marching from Portugal to a position which commands the approach to the French

forces, my officers have been diligently complying with your requests which have been sent by H.M. Ship from London to Lisbon and thence by dispatch rider to our headquarters.

We have enumerated our saddles, bridles, tents and tent poles, and all manner of sundry items for which His Majesty’s Government holds me accountable. I have dispatched reports on the character, wit and spleen of every officer. Each item and every farthing has been accounted for, with two regrettable exceptions for which I beg your indulgence.

Unfortunately, the sum of one shilling and ninepence remains unaccounted for in one infantry battalion’s petty cash and there has been a hideous confusion as to the number of jars of raspberry jam issued to one cavalry regiment during a sandstorm in western Spain. The reprehensible carelessness may be related to the pressure of circumstance, since we are at war with France, a fact which may come as a bit of a surprise to you gentlemen in Whitehall.

This brings me to my present purpose, which is to request elucidation of my instructions from His Majesty’s Government so that I may better understand why I am dragging an army over these barren plains. I construe that perforce it must be one of two alternative duties as given below. I shall pursue either one with the best of my ability but I cannot do both:

- To train an army of uniformed British clerks in Spain for the benefit of the accountants and copy-boys in London. Or, perchance

- To see to it that the forces of Napoleon are driven out of Spain.Your most obedient servant,WELLINGTON

Funding – Social Enterprise

Main difference from PrincetonGovernment vs EndowmentGovernment constraints

Entrepreneurial - Maximise and diversify incomeEnsure maximum income comes into

UniversityBe efficient and effective – ie: in administrationBusiness engagementRegionAlumni – 2020 campaign

Thesis…Pinceton is a wonderful model with same ethos as Durham

More than any other UK University, Durham has the basis to be an equivalent to Princeton

We have been lulled into ‘comfortableness’, partly instilled by secure but limited Government funding/constraints

But, really can deliver…over time (and with money!)

What we need to do:•A focus on true international excellence in

research, learning, student experience•Make a difference in all we do – lead; be at the forefront•Enhance ‘place’ and environment –

an International University, with National Influence, and Regional Location

How to do this:•Plan long term, but be proactive in many areas in short term•A Team. University as a community of communities –

Departments, Colleges, Support Services, Alumni • Acquire funds to do what we need to do• Communicate the difference we make• Be more entrepreneurial • Aspire and proud of The University and what it achieves