Is market-driven research healthy? Responding to the language of “knowledge mobilization” that percolates through Canadian postsecondary education, the literary scholars who contributed these essays address the challenges that an intensified culture of research capitalism brings to the humanities in particular. Stakeholders in Canada’s research infrastructure—university students, professors, and administrators; grant policy makers and bureaucrats; and the public who are the ultimate inheritors of such knowledge—are urged to examine a range of perspectives on the increasingly entrepreneurial university environment and its growing corporate culture.
Reviews
“Profit is a fine motivator, but it should never be the only motivator. Retooling the Humanities: The Culture of Research in Canadian Universities looks at what is propelling researches in Canadian universities today, hoping to bring Canada into the debate on the purpose of secondary education and its institution. An assortment of essays for those who want to see a better tomorrow for Canada’s colleges and universities. Discussing everything ranging from bureaucracy to public relations and much more, “Retooling the Humanities” is a scholarly discussion on the future of Canada’s research and education.” Library Bookwatch, May 2011
“We’ve heard much about the modern corporate university….at stake are issues that extend beyond the quality of degrees to no less than intellectual freedom and the social valuation (and very definition) of knowledge itself. Enter Retooling the Humanities, in which 13 literary scholars reflect the ‘the culture of research capitalism’ currently directing the profession and study of the humanities…. As several contributors emphasize, basic science and any curiosity-driven field where knowledge can’t be readily patented are at risk. But humanist research faces particular challenges. To this end, the book sets out not only to offer a critical analysis of the situation, ‘but to explore the possibilities for “re-tooling” the humanities…. Retooling [the Humanities] seems geared to academics, administrators and policymakers…such in-house discussion is badly needed.” Christine Wiesenthal, Alberta Views,