Conservative academics

Why are there comparatively few academic conservatives? The Chronicle of Higher Education provides some answers based on a paper by Matthew Woessner & April Kelly-Wessner.

Conservatives are not as interested in the issues that might go into a doctorate, feel discriminated against by professors - ‘liberal enclaves provide a chilly environment’ - and have more interest in raising a family than liberal students. On the latter point one way of broadening the range of views in academic departments would be to provide better childcare facilities.

Conservatives are also less interested in doing original work and more interested in financial success than are liberals.

In my limited experience economics departments provide a mix of ideological approaches with many right-wing academics supporting free market policies but plenty of old-fashioned lefties working in areas such as industrial relations and labour economics. This often translates into support for a diverse range of political positions. Many arts-based departments (especially politics) however are overwhelmingly left-wing with a crushingly tedious orthodoxy of left-wing babblers and social romantics. I cannot imagine conservative students feeling at home in such departments.

I think it is very important to reconstitute political science departments so that they do teach about politics and not just left-wing ideology. The central role they attach to Marxist theory is totally ridiculous. Most would be better-off learning about markets and modern economics.

Repositioning La Trobe University

The Green Paper Repositioning La Trobe University written by new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, was released yesterday.

It is discussed in this morning’s Age and Australian newspapers. The Age continues its campaign to denigrate LTU with a totally negative report – it never misses an opportunity to do this. The Australian’s discussion is more positive and helpful.

The main ideas of the Green Paper - as discussed in the press - are to consolidate courses and to cut teaching time by 25% by cutting out small enrolment units. Also teaching only positions would be available thus releasing staff to do more research. Moves to promote more graduate level programs across the whole university will be accelerated.

It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the content of the VC’s report in a public forum – it’s only a discussion paper at this stage anyway - but I am impressed with the way he is addressing himself to the issues faced. He is promoting discussion throughout the university and even talks about starting an in campus blog.

The university faces some tough choices but having a VC who is intelligent and active provides a sense of renewed optimism.

University VC pay in Australia

The big earners are listed in The Australian, Higher Education Supplement.

In comparison, Prime Minister Howard will get $330, 356 annually if re-elected this year. Among other things the article states, in relation to La Trobe University:

'Senior management at La Trobe closed ranks this week when the HES queried a listing in its 2006 annual report that shows someone - believed to be former vice-chancellor Brian Stoddart - received between $1,470,000-$1,479,999 last year.

A well-placed source told the HES the figure was the combined annual remuneration and a $948,000 payout for Professor Stoddart, who assumed the top job at short notice when Michael Osborne resigned in late 2005. Professor Stoddart left in December after it was announced Paul Johnson would succeed him'.

I don't know if this information is correct or complete but it does seem a lot of money. Of course once the envy is foregone it is essential to demand good performance from highly-paid leaders in all fields.

Economist to head LaTrobe University

I've just heard that Professor Paul Johnson of London School of Economics has been selected to be appointed as the new Vice Chancellor at LaTrobe University. The appointment is subject to approval by the University Council. His CV is here. Professor Johnston is an economic historian and was formerly Deputy Director of the LSE. Background to the appointment is here.

These senior appointments are increasingly important in a modern university. There have been comparatively few economists heads of Australian universities so it is an interesting move.