Creating conditions for compassion

Abstract

The premise of this chapter is that universities are, or ought to be, 'caregiving organisations,' because of their role and primary task of helping students to learn. However, a key assumption underpinning this chapter is that universities can also be experienced as turbulent and toxic environments. It takes a critically reflexive stance to illustrate how universities, their leaders and staff can create the conditions for compassion to flourish. Theoretically the chapter draws upon concepts and frameworks from psychoanalysis, group dynamics, organisational culture and the science of mindful compassion. The conditions for creating compassionate university cultures are identified and discussed at individual, group and organisational levels of analysis. The chapter also includes reference to intersectionality to illustrate how different types of discrimination and power interact, bringing fresh perspectives to the ethics of care and compassion in higher education.