UM: Academic Politics

On his blog 2020 Science, Andrew Maynard describes his recent move to Ann Arbor (to direct the UM Risk Science Center). His experience at UM has been positive, he writes: “But I must admit that there is an interesting dynamic here that is quite different to that in D.C. It seems – from first impressions at least – that academics are adept at jockeying for position within a complex intersection of groups and factions, and demonstrate a skill that would put a pack of wolves to shame. In political terms, it’s a little like trading the grand spectacle and backroom maneuvering of D.C. for bare-knuckle fighting – more Fight Club than Mr. Smith Goes To Washington!” [Source]