Knowledge Mobilization in a Time of Institutional Reckoning

The funding challenges facing universities today reflect more than budgetary strain—they reflect a growing crisis of confidence in higher education’s role in society. In an era of climate urgency, political polarization, and rising inequality, universities are facing pressure to prove their worth. For those of us within the university, this moment invites reflection. If universities want to rebuild trust, they need to move beyond abstraction and toward real-world impact.