The University and the Pursuit of Truth

Over the past century, American universities have led the world in, as the University of Michigan’s mission statement puts it, “creating, communicating, preserving, and applying knowledge, art, and academic values.” Any measure of scholarly achievement—publications, Nobel Prizes, research grants, new patents, etc.—would attest that American universities are unsurpassed in scholarly achievement, and the U of M would certainly be in the forefront.

But in today's polarized and politicized environment, can universities still fulfill their core mission of pursuing truth and advancing knowledge? And if so, how?

In this conversation, we hear from two longtime members of the University of Michigan community to address that very question:

• Valerie Johnson, Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships for the U of M's ADVANCE Program. With a Ph.D. in English from the University of Kentucky, she has held various roles at the U of M, including in the Marsal School of Education, the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, the Office of the Provost, and the National Center for Institutional Diversity.

• Dan Crane, the Richard W. Pogue Professor of Law at the University of Michigan. He specializes in contracts, antitrust, intellectual property, and regulation legislation. He holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago and previously served as the associate dean for faculty and research.