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In this episode of The Brink, Andrew is joined by historian Lawrence Goldman, former Oxford professor and Executive Editor of History Reclaimed, for a wide-ranging conversation on the crisis facing universities, the rewriting of British history, and the growing influence of ideology in academia.
Drawing on more than four decades at Oxford, Goldman explains how the study of history has shifted away from archival research and evidence towards theory, ideology, and present-day moral judgments. He argues that today's students are increasingly taught to interpret the past through modern political frameworks, rather than understanding historical events on their own terms.
The conversation also explores the rise of anti-Semitism on university campuses, the relationship between anti-Zionism and academic culture, and why Goldman believes many institutions have failed to defend free inquiry and intellectual diversity. We discuss the expansion of higher education, the internationalisation of universities, and the growing disconnect between academia and wider society.
Finally, Andrew and Lawrence examine what it would take to restore trust in higher education. From academic freedom and leadership to educational standards and the purpose of universities themselves, they ask whether Britain's institutions can return to the pursuit of truth over ideology.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
05:19 The Rise Of Ideology In Universities
11:25 When Did It Start?
14:57 Why Academia Changed
17:45 Is Diversity Of Thought Disappearing?
19:24 The Cost Of Speaking Out
23:00 Why History Reclaimed Was Created
26:03 Does Oxford Have An Antisemitism Problem?
35:46 Why Antisemitism Is Getting Worse
39:19 Foreign Influence In British Universities
42:56 Has Academia Lost Its Purpose?
45:39 Are Universities Producing Better Students?
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