How do graduate academics promote social responsibility in their work?

Abstract

In the development of the project “Applied Ethics and Education” from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, we considered relevant to study the issue of the social responsibility of the universities. This interest is based on the importance of the mission traditionally attributed to higher education institutions and the existence of a business model that privileges the capitalization of knowledge. Faced with this reality, the question was asked to a group of postgraduate academics: how do you promote social responsibility in your work? We employed a qualitative research, in which a questionnaire of open questions, and a content analysis was used through which a great diversity of strategies was identified that was organized into four categories: Search for social relevance, Relationship with students, Ethics and Values, and Dissemination of the academic work. These results were compared with the literature analysis carried out, and in this way the importance of the strong relation between the university and the communities was confirmed. The role played by postgraduate professors and researchers was also emphasized, so that, through their work, they respond to the diversity of social problems and can contribute to the construction of a more just and inclusive society.