What are Universities For?

An eloquent and impassioned book * Economist *Collini is astute, analytical, and often killingly funny – Bevis Hillier * Daily Telegraph *Collini is that rare bird, a don who can be read with pleasure – Michael Barber * Tablet, Books of the Year *One of Britain’s finest essayists and writers – Ronan McDonald * The Times Higher Education Supplement *[A] timely lecture for the coalition of dunces … this is a closely argued defence * Independent on Sunday *The book is a bit like some university courses. It is erudite, well argued, carefully researched, a fine addition to the debate about the purpose of university education * Scotsman *[Collini is] stern and splendid in his brief history of the hot debate on useful versus useless knowledge – Fred Inglis * Times Higher Education *It is extremely well written: Collini’s prose is lively, well-reasoned and persuasive. The book is a refreshing example of a faculty member engaging with the wider issues of higher education rather than perceiving them through the narrow prism of his own discipline … a valuable, timely contribution to the discourse – Gerry Wrixon * Irish Examiner *A critique both pointed and witty – Howard Newby * Independent *Collini writes beautifully – Chris Patten * Financial Times *

Stefan Collini is a Professor of Intellectual History and English Literature at Cambridge University and Fellow of the British Academy. He frequently contributes to The Guardian, The London Review of Books, The Times Literary Supplement, and The Nation. He is described as ‘one of Britain’s finest essayists and writers.’ His works include Common Reading- Critics, Historians, Publics (2008), Absent Minds- Intellectuals in Britain (2006), Public Moralists (1991), Matthew Arnold- a Critical Portrait (1994), and English Pasts- Essays in History and Culture (1999).

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.