The Rise of Academic Innovationism

Abstract

This chapter discusses the analytical contrast between the two systems for organizing research and education, the system of academic professionalism and the system of academic innovationism. Under the impetus of academic innovationism, universities became more porous to the outside world and reciprocal relations of knowledge exchange grew denser. On balance, the new system contributed significantly and positively to the research prowess of universities. But it has also yielded a spotty record—some extraordinary successes but also many short-lived, troubled collaborations. Some universities invested heavily in the infrastructure to foster academic innovation and had little to show for their investments. For research universities, the challenge for the future will be to expand the possibilities to contribute more to the national innovation effort.