The recent announcement that Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, will be taking on dual roles at Harvard University, as reported by The Guardian, has brought forth a new chapter in her political career. Ardern will serve as a visiting professor and assume the mantle of the institution’s first-ever leader in online extremism. This move not only exemplifies Ardern’s dedication to fighting online hate and radicalization but also highlights the essential role of academic institutions in searching for answers to society’s biggest questions.
Wellington, Australia: April 5, 2023 - Outgoing New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern gives a ... [+]
According to CNN, Jarden “will serve as the Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow, a program aimed at high-profile leaders transitioning from public service roles, and the Hauser Leader in the School’s Center for Public Leadership, a program where leaders from various sectors help students and faculty build leadership skills.”
The interesting thing about this new role is that it combines Ardern’s governmental policy expertise with the university’s research capabilities—indicative of a closer partnership between academic institutions and policymakers. Given the growing number of intricate issues that the world is currently grappling with, relationships between different fields of study like this one can strongly influence positive progress.
As Helen Gordon, President of Council at the University of Reading, said in a statement, “Science is fundamental to every part of our lives and our future. Leaders must ensure that science teams are supported in working together creatively, across disciplines and nations, especially around the big challenges the world faces.”
In other words, academic institutions need to be efficient in their collaboration with government leaders, and Ardern’s appointment is a prime example of what can happen when this integration works. Subsequently, this could be the start of a new era in which universities become hubs of problem-solving and social justice.
That said, while Ardern’s move to Harvard is a testament to the potential of academic institutions in driving positive change, it’s important to accept that no single entity can take on the world’s most pressing problems alone. Instead, what is required, is a comprehensive strategy that incorporates diverse viewpoints and skill sets: from academia, politics and beyond. Ardern’s appointment might be a step in the right direction, but it certainly isn’t the only one we need.
Consider the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which rely on a collective effort from many different actors, or the forthcoming Leadership Impact Festival hosted by Henley Business School’s Centre for Leadership and the Alumni and Development Department on June 1. The festival will bring together leaders from various sectors, including Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer, CIO of NATO, to discuss and explore solutions for today’s world’s pressing issues. Speaking ahead of the festival, Bernd Vogel, the professor of leadership responsible for hosting the event, said, “We invite leaders who will be able to share their experience and knowledge on topics such as globalization, digital transformation, sustainable development and climate change. We are hoping that this forum will make a meaningful contribution towards finding solutions for the common good.”
And so, it is evident that academic institutions are now playing an increasingly crucial role in finding solutions for the world’s most pressing issues. We can expect more collaborations like this to emerge as universities leverage their research capabilities and policy leaders seek out new ideas to tackle global problems.
That said, the responsibility to lead these efforts lies with all of us. With that in mind, let’s work together to create a better world for future generations. We can do this by promoting and encouraging collaboration between universities, governments and other stakeholders in order to drive progress on the most pressing global issues. Only through such a collective effort can we hope to achieve positive change and make the world a better place for everyone.
Disclosure: Two sources mentioned in this article—Helen Gordon and Bernd Vogel—are employed by the same University as this article’s author, though the author is not involved in the Leadership Impact Festival. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and not of any institution or organization.
