Inaugural lecture James Kennedy

James Kennedy On 14 November, James Kennedy will give his inaugural lecture as Distinguished University Professor of Community Engaged Learning (CEL). Utrecht University is fully committed to community engagement in education and wants CEL to have a permanent place in the curriculum by 2025. Kennedy puts this in a historical perspective. He compares current times with the 1960s, when, just as now, there was a crisis of confidence, a call for social engagement, and a need for democratisation. What does this mean for the role the university has, what should graduates care about, and how should we share knowledge?  Should we be 'back to the sixties' ' 'It is important for students to come out of their bubble. Community Engaged Learning is going to help with that."  According to Kennedy, many courses have a high theoretical content. "With CEL, students learn how theory and practice relate to each other ánd contribute to society right away.