Relationship with Universities
Universities are essential partners in the Council's work, but they do not govern it. This distinction ensures both academic freedom and institutional independence.
Universities Support, But Do Not Control
Universities provide critical infrastructure for doctoral work: research facilities, libraries, collaborative networks, and institutional legitimacy. They may financially support Council members, host Council events, or facilitate research related to Council activities.
However, universities do not determine Council positions, approve Council statements, or exercise veto power over Council decisions. A university that employs a Council member does not thereby become a Council member itself.
Doctors Act in Personal Epistemic Capacity
When a professor contributes to Council work, they do so through their individual expertise and judgment—not as a representative of their university. This model preserves several important principles:
- Academic freedom: Scholars can participate without institutional approval or censorship
- Intellectual diversity: Multiple perspectives from various institutions enrich Council deliberations
- Independence: The Council cannot be captured by any single institution or group of institutions
Not an Association of Institutions
The Council is not a consortium of universities, not an inter-institutional body, and not a platform for university coordination. Universities do not have "membership," voting rights, or formal representation in Council governance. This ensures that Council work serves global public interest rather than institutional interests.
How Universities Can Contribute
Universities support the Council through:
- Providing time and resources for faculty to contribute to Council work
- Hosting Council events, workshops, or research initiatives
- Recognizing Council participation as legitimate scholarly activity
- Facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration aligned with Council objectives
This relationship benefits both parties: universities advance their mission of knowledge creation and societal impact, while the Council gains access to world-class expertise and institutional resources.
A Model of Distributed Authority
The Council's relationship with universities reflects a broader vision: that epistemic authority can be distributed, collaborative, and independent without being chaotic or unaccountable. It is a model for how expertise can serve society while preserving intellectual freedom and institutional pluralism.