The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University said that Michael Gove made infamous remarks during the Brexit movement, saying that people “have had enough experts” and she felt “embarrassed” to study at the institution.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer of the Principality of Lancaster has been criticized for his remarks made three weeks before the 2016 UK referendum to leave the European Union.
Professor Louis Richardson, the vice president of the university, said that the development of Covid-19 vaccines, such as those designed by Oxford University, illustrates the importance of experts.
Richardson, speaking in a group with principals from all over the world at the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, said: “Michael Gove, British Cabinet Secretary, I am embarrassed to admit that we are educated. After pointing this out to him , He said a famous sentence. A reporter said that all experts are opposed to Brexit. He said: “Oh, we have had enough experts. “
“With vaccines, it seems that the public cannot get enough experts. Many of our scientists have become household names.
“We have proven how much contributions universities can make through vaccine work and the development of treatment methods. This is very helpful to our cause.”
Gove studied English in Lady Margaret Hall at Oxford University. He graduated in 1988 and was elected chairman of the Oxford Union Debating Society.
Richardson also believes that universities need more controversial debates and “ideological diversity” to gain public support.
She warned that the idea that the “culture war” and universities are “snowflake fortresses” is being “deliberately incited” by populists, some media and some politicians.
The scholar added that the so-called “war of awakening” is a problem facing the organization.
Richardson said: “More and more people see that they have not gone to college yet, but their taxes are paying for these extremely poor students. They want to get all kinds of protection that they have never had. I think we must Take this seriously.”
She added: “I think we need more ideological diversity. We need to promote more open debate on controversial topics. We need to teach our students how to civilize and rationally debate with people who disagree because Unless we do this, we will lose public debate.”
Oxford has been contacted for comment.
