Last Thursday 19th September saw the first in The Brilliant Club’s brand-new Annual Lecture series, “What do we see when we talk about social mobility”, with Professor Sir Chris Husbands. The lecture series aims to bring together colleagues from across education, higher education, philanthropy and the third sector, to consider the contributions of higher education to society and the public good.
Professor Sir Chris Husbands – former schoolteacher, academic, public servant, and university leader – led the audience through a series of reflections about social mobility past, present and future.
Sir Chris spoke of the vast differences between his educational journey and those of his parents and grandparents, to demonstrate the transformative power of education and opportunity at a time of widespread social mobility in the later twentieth century. He went on to discuss some of the ‘puzzles in the social mobility story’, particularly that there is no common shared understanding as to what social mobility actually means.
Using four common images of the concept, “levelling the playing field”, the great glass elevator, the Penrose spiral staircase, and snakes and ladders, Sir Chris examined the contested concept of social mobility, and whether ‘social justice’ may be a better term.
Without an agreed understanding of the concept, the measures we might employ to increase social mobility are also highly debated. Sir Chris presented four suggestions, based on experience, evidence and policy from around the world. These include:
Professor Sir Chris Husbands (right) during Q&A hosted by Anne-Marie Canning MBE (left), CEO of The Brilliant Club
Sir Chris wrapped up the lecture with four key takeaways, the first being the importance of ‘accessible, high quality and inclusive education’ as ‘it makes a profound difference to individuals in the short and the long-term.’
Secondly, Sir Chris stressed that concepts such as social mobility and social justice ‘are not straightforward ideas… Ladders of opportunity need to be multiple, whatever the policy or financial challenges.’
Finally, he spoke on how institutions such as schools and universities are more powerful when they work together, and that ‘institutional leadership is always about being an open-minded, generous partner and collaborator.’
With attendees from schools, universities, funders and third sector organisations, the lecture was followed by a lively Q&A covering the purpose of universities, the relationship between expansion and equity, and the financial challenges facing the sector, with conversation continuing over drinks and nibbles.
If you’d like to watch a recording of the lecture, please get in touch at universities@thebrilliantclub.org