The core epistemic responsibilities of universities: results from a Delphi study

Abstract

Epistemic responsibilities of universities concern equipping and empowering its researchers, educators and students to attain, produce, exchange and disseminate knowledge. Epistemic responsibilities can potentially guide universities in improving their education, research and in service to society. In this study we identified six epistemic responsibilities: 1) to foster research integrity, 2) to stimulate the development of intellectual virtues, 3) to address the big questions of life, 4) to cultivate the diversity of the disciplinary fields, 5) to serve and engage with society at large, and 6) to cultivate and safeguard academic freedom.