Universities in the UK have been criticised for focussing too much on global issues while ignoring the communities closer to home. Recently, the UK government even accepted this was an error and promised they would work more closely with universities to make sure Higher Education institutions were giving enough attention to the people living around them.
A better connection with local people could be achieved in a number of ways. Firstly, for example, the university could work together with local businesses on projects to improve the area or increase employment opportunities. They could also create partnerships with local schools and colleges. In addition, more coordination and communication between universities, local councils and national government would possibly be of benefit and would help make sure research has meaning for the people around them and results are passed on to the appropriate people involved.
However, all of these measures will not be effective if universities do not first learn how to get local communities involved in their science and research, to make them interested and aware of what they are doing to improve people’s standards of living. Some are worried that the aim of universities to increase levels of equality in society could be damaged if they do not succeed in involving local people in what they do, and instead only cause more of a divide between various members of the community.