Allen, Garth

Professor Garth Allen is Director of Really Useful Knowledge Consultants and is Adjunct Professor, Culture, Communication and Media Studies, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He has published numerous articles and books.

Advance of Academic Capitalism in the Twenty-First Century: An Economic and Philosophical Account of the Challenges Facing the University Today

2013 0-7734-4482-3
The paradox of the modern University is its unique position in society as both a knowledge-based machine and an economic global business model. This book examines the problems of this dual purpose as it impacts relationships between students and faculty; faculty and administrators; administrators and financial supporters as they struggle to find that balance between true purpose and the ever changing role of the modern university to its regional community. The author offers fresh insight and innovative ideas to this vigorous debate.

The Role of the Museum in Creating Multi-Cultural Identities: Lessons from Canada

2005 0-7734-6016-0
The resolution of conflict caused through the failure to recognise the legitimacy of reasonable differences of view is one of the key challenges for all those who prefer to see political processes in train in search of solutions to the conflict caused by illegitimate intolerance. The authors draw on theoretical developments in cultural studies and in the theory and practice of ICT in order to explore the contribution that the museum might make to the reconciliation of seemingly incommensurate viewpoints. They draw on empirical work on the ‘Legends of our Times’ exhibition in Canada where they apply a novel research methodology to explore the impact of the exhibition on young people’s learning.

Anyone concerned with clarifying their thinking concerning the meaning and significance of the inter-relationships between culture, heritage and identity should find the unique approach offered here stimulating and controversial. For people directly involved in the museum and heritage business, for the first time, the role of the museum as a ‘sacred space,’ built on the creation of exhibits through a theory and practice of ‘constructed neutrality,’ is fully developed. The authors tackle the crucial question of how we encourage people to develop a deeper sense of belonging, or community, without that process in itself leading to more formal or rigid exclusions of those who do not belong; the museum, they argue, can and should promote toleration in an increasingly intolerant world.