Cambridge Hiring “Professor of LEGO”
June 17th, 2015
Most official announcements from world-renowned Cambridge University are connected with incredible research breakthroughs or studies that shed light into some dark, misunderstood corner of the human condition. But a recent staff addition by the university is being met with more than a few chuckles and eye rolls.
Cambridge will soon name what many are calling a “Professor of LEGO.” The position grew out of a very generous donation from the LEGO Foundation of £4 million, and the person chosen will head up the school’s Research Centre on Play in Education, Development and Learning. Given how much using LEGO bricks can help in a child’s development, I am sure that the grant will help produce some incredible insight into the value of kids learning how to build things at an early age.
But I have to wonder which came first – the money or the idea? If LEGO had not ponied up the pounds, I have a feeling these toys would never have been added to the school’s official curriculum.
