Governments in Canada and elsewhere have embraced “austerity” as a necessary public policy to eliminate budgetary deficits and ensure future prosperity. How has this “austerity agenda” affected faculty, students, administrators and institutions in Ontario, in Canada, and globally? Is “austerity” inevitable, or are there alternatives? And what might universities do now, and in the future, in response to the “austerity agenda” or possible alternatives?
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association’s 2013 Conference – “Academia in the Age of Austerity” – will seek to answer these questions and more. Join us for two days of insightful presentations and engaging discussion with speakers and participants from universities, research institutes, government, and the private sector in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The conference will critically explore the idea of “austerity” by unpacking the meaning of the term, its implications and impact on higher education, as well as consider other possible policy directions. Like previous OCUFA conferences, a diversity of views will be sought in each of the keynote and panel sessions.
The conference will take place on January 10-11, 2013 at the Pantages Hotel in Toronto. For more information, and to register, please visit the conference page.