University of Auckland takes lectures to the pub, following international trend

SHANI WILLIAMS

Last updated 15:14, July 24 2017

Auckland academics are ditching the lecture theatre for the city's bars.

The University of Auckland will send 20 academics to lecture at 10 Auckland bars as a part of a worldwide initiative next month.

The event, called "Raising the Bar", aims to make education a greater part of the city's culture by giving the community the chance to engage with leading academics in a friendly, accessible and laid back atmosphere.

The initiative originated in New York in 2015 and is designed to break down the perception that higher education deepens socioeconomic inequality by pushing away prospective students.

Raising the Bar quickly spread to Melbourne, Sydney, San Francisco, London, Hong Kong and now Auckland.

University of Auckland director of alumni relations and development Mark Bentley said the lecture topics would reflect the younger "Ted Talk generation".

The sessions, being held on August 29, would be fascinating, quick and informative, he said.