Universities must go beyond the ivory tower

The ivory tower sits on a solid foundation, but it could use a little shaking up, writes Professor Henry Mintzberg in a University World News article co-authored with his daughter Susan Mintzberg, a doctoral candidate in social work at McGill University. They argue that an overemphasis on a few top journals is one of the issues of the current model. These publications are sometimes called ‘A-journals’, and, in some cases, universities are prioritizing quantity over quality. The Mintzbergs provide an example of a business school where annual bonuses are determined the number of 'A-journal' publications one has achieved, potentially undervaluing other scholarly contributions, such as book writing. Their insights prompt a critical examination of the traditional ivory tower and a call for a more balanced and inclusive approach to academic recognition.