Tamar Almog is an expert in youth culture and alternative instruction. Department of Learning, Instruction and Teaching Education, University of Haifa Israel.
Oz Almog is a sociologist and historian, specializing in Israeli society. Department of Israel Studies, University of Haifa Israel.
Tamar and Oz have been a couple since the age of 17. Immediately after their marriage in 1982, they took off on a long trip to the Far East; since then, they have remained backpackers at heart—eager to understand the social landscape around them and clarify complex matters.
They both like: ethnic and folk art, jazz music, flea markets, vintage style, humor, and good-heartedness.
They dislike: malice, insensitivity, hypocrisy and pretentiousness, stupidity, kitsch, narrow-mindedness, and inefficiency. They like to give compliments and hugs, and they are unafraid of the truth—even if it is unpleasant. They are grateful that they have had the chance to work together in a dynamic and creative profession that also happens to be their hobby. Both Tamar and Oz love to converse, debate and teach, and their lectures are in high demand by public and private organizations.
Tamar and Oz are the parents of a son and daughter, and the grandparents of three lovely grandchildren.
Abstract
* The book is included in the list of the Prominent Books of 2020 in Israel.
Academia All the Lies: What Went Wrong in the University Model and What Will Come in Its Place is an X-ray of the academic ivory tower. It exposes the successful method, which has decayed over time, and the culture of lying, denial and fixation that has taken over institutions of higher education across the world.
It unfolds the inflation of scientific publications, which results in an alarming decline in the quality, relevance and reliability of science; the degenerated and dated Quality Control of empirical research; the transformation of faculty members into submissive and worn-out employees in an outdated production line; the outrageous wasting of budgets and resources; the rankings obsession that drags governments and institutions into a whirlwind of self-deception; The cynical monopoly and unabashed greediness of scientific publishing corporations; the lack of professionalism in managing institutions; the exploitation and deception of adjunct lecturers and research students; the waning attractiveness of an academic career; the transformation of the humanities into a pile of politically correct mumbo jumbo; the devaluation of the academic degree; the stubborn adherence to antiquated teaching methods and missing out on the Internet revolution; the disconnect between the curricula and the needs of society and the job market; and the marketing and branding ploys that are used to lure young people to sign up for expired institutions and courses.
But this book is not just a depressing snapshot of stagnated intellectual elite, which shuts its eyes in the face of changing times and betrays its social mission. Alongside the harsh criticism, Tamar and Oz Almog propose a course of recalculation and transition to a fresh model of research and education, tailored to the 21st century.
The COVID-19 crisis, which is shaking and will continue to rattle the education and science systems, will shortly make the prophetic prediction of the Almog's a reality - in which everything we have known to date about education and science will change dramatically.
"Academia: all the Lies," which was first published in Israel and elicited widespread public discourse, is a must-read for future students and their parents, employers, media, and policymakers. It is also a must-read for anyone who is engaged in science and education or dreams of a career in the field. Read More
