The spatial dimension in university-social environment interactions. A proposal for the Argentine case

Abstract

This article analyzes how the spatial dimension is incorporated in interactions between universities and their environments, based on three ideal-types of interaction: scientific-technological poles, the establishment of networks, and the university as a locale. This work is based on a systematic analysis of specialized literature and fieldwork that included 120 interviews carried out across four Argentine universities between 2016 and 2021. The main findings indicate that spatial dimension is traditionally understood as a surface where actions take place; we propose to think of space in university–social environment interactions as a product of the different situations of interaction that is contingent and enables or restricts the possibilities of generating lasting impacts.