The last in the series of three debates on the role of philanthropy within UK higher education is being held at the University of Kent’s Medway campus on Friday 10 April 2015. Following the success of the debates in Canterbury and Athens, we will once again bring together stakeholders and sceptics to discuss how funding from philanthropic sources contributes to the research, teaching, physical environment and identity of the University of Kent.
The last debate, held on our Canterbury campus, featured those who work in fundraising, academics who have received research funding from philanthropic sources, and students in receipt of scholarships; in addition to external contributors such as Anthony Tomei, trustee of the Bell Foundation and former director at Nuffield, who offered a funder’s perspective on philanthropy in HE. Dr Triona Fitton, research associate at the Centre for Philanthropy in SSPSSR, who is organising the series, said
“Whilst the debate in Canterbury focused upon logistics and the process of managing philanthropic money, this differed from the emphasis in Athens last month. There the discussion centred around ethics and moral accountability of Universities when dealing with money from a private source, as well as a need for alternative funding sources in Greek higher education. We look forward to building upon these discussions and continuing the debate at our Medway event in April”.
The debate is being held from 11am in the Rochester Board Room and will include a complimentary lunch. For more event details and to book, please visit the event page.
Dr Fitton’s book, Hidden History: Philanthropy at the University of Kent, will be launched at the Understanding Philanthropy conference, 29th June 2015 on the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus. You can follow the progress of her research on her blog and on Twitter.