An exploration of Barnett’s analysis of the ‘ecological’ university (2011) and the potential contribution of arts-based pedagogy and knowledge

This paper complements a workshop at the Art of Management 2016 conference which was designed to encourage the participants to explore their own felt experience as academics and practitioners engaged in arts-based practices in university and other organisational contexts. It explores historical, cultural, strategic and pedagogical themes related to the nature of knowledge within and beyond the universities and business schools, with particular reference to Barnett’s (2011) analysis of different forms of Being a University. I conclude by positioning the current arts-in-management debate (eg Darsø, 2004; Adler, 2006, 2010, 2015; Bartunek and Carboni, 2006; Kaiser and Kaplan, 2006; Tung, 2006; Gallos, 2008; Barry, 2008; Taylor and Ladkin, 2009; Colby et al., 2011; Schiuma, 2011; Sutherland, 2013) within the context of Barnett’s analysis, finding that the arts-in-management movement aligns closely to Barnett’s definition of the feasible utopia of an ‘ecological’ university which engages with the world and aims to make a difference through the nature and depth of its research and teaching, and by accommodating the insights of staff with multiple academic identities.