Pictured above: Prof John Higgins debates 'the politics of knowledge' with Norway's Minister of Education and Research, Torbjorn Roe Isaksen

What are the politics of knowledge? To what extent is the pace of change occurring within higher education being impacted by political reform? Are these changes happening for the good or bad? What happens to academic freedom in the process? These were some of the questions raised at a public debate led by Norwegian Minister of Education and Research Torbjorn Roe Isaksen, in September this year. University of Cape Town Professor of English Literature and Cultural Theory John Higgins was one of three guest panelists at this event, held at Bergen University. 

Professor Higgins’ book ‘Academic Freedom in a Democratic South Africa’, discusses the challenges facing universities and, it explores issues such as the value and place of the Humanities in furthering democracy, within the context of an increasingly market-driven society. His book has gained an interested readership in Norway.  So much so that he was invited to engage with Norway’s new Minister of Education and Research on questions concerning the progress and implications of reform in the Norwegian higher education system.  Other panelists included: Professors Fanny Duckert and Knut Kjeldstadli from the University of Oslo.

‘Norway’s very strong social democratic traditions – coupled with oil wealth, managed in an enviably uncorrupt way – have meant that pressures for neo-liberal reform in higher education are coming late to Norway as – for different reasons – they have to South Africa, and hence some of the interest there in the book.  What is of great interest are the similarity of some of the challenges facing higher education, despite the immense material and political differences between the two countries.  Comparisons work best when they highlight similarities across differences’ says Prof Higgins. 

He is currently editing two new collections of essays and articles.  The first is a special issue devoted to South Africa of the UK journal Arts and Humanities in Higher Education.  Entitled ‘State of Urgency’, it offers several snapshots of the humanities in the wake of #RhodesMustFall.  The second, a special issue of the CHE journal, Kagisano, features comparative essays on the place of higher education in the South African and Norwegian constitutions.  His article 'The Constitutional Imperative for Academic Freedom' was recently published in the influential annual global survey, Europa World of Learning.  He is currently Arderne Chair of Literature. Previous accolades include the Altron National Book Award (2002) and the UCT Book prize (2000). Professor Higgins is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.