Salamander

(why we chose it to name our future micro-universities - see other keywords)

The New University context

How might we rethink the university paradigm in an era when human survival will increasingly become paramount? Our work began in 2023, when the most dramatic manifestations of climate change were the raging fires that consumed homes, towns and whole islands. We needed a symbol of alertness, resilience and regeneration without being unduly cosy or alarmist. Like most aspirational projects we began looking for a brand that would survive as far into the future as possible. The name 'salamander' has a pleasing, musical sound despite its slightly uncanny appearance and twitchy movements.

• N.B. we therefore registered domain names including salamander-university.com

Some biological facts

Despite their appearance modern biologists classify salamanders not as reptiles (like lizards), but as amphibians (see also polyphibians). Salamanders have slender bodies, blunt snouts, short limbs and a tail. These appendages are also self-regenerative. If a salamander loses a finger, leg, or piece of the body it can grow back.

The salamander in ancient mythology

One of the most enduring legends of the salamander is its purported affinity with fire. Since ancient times many have reported that Salamanders could live in fire, probably because they hibernate under rotting logs and were therefore seen escaping from newly lit fires. Some ancient Romans believed that salamanders could extinguish fire and the Talmud depicted it as a product of fire, claiming that anyone smeared with its blood would be immune to harm from fire. In the 5th century, St Augustine used these stories to claim that "everything which burns is not consumed." Leonardo da Vinci believed that salamanders had no digestive organs but gained its sustenance from fire.

Relevance to today's crises

• Each of these problems pose long-term threats to our survival:
  • 1. climate change
  • 2. multiple extinctions
  • 3. future global pandemics
  • 4. military conflicts
  • 5. food security
  • 6. The rapid development of so-called AI technologies
• The six problems above are too big and interconnected for governments to manage.

A new role for universities

• Universities are part of the existing paradigm and need an imaginative overhaul.
• UNESCO's (2021) Futures of Education report suggests re-purposing education within a global change strategy. 
• In seeking game changing outcomes, this project will explore new approaches to learning.