Understanding how being peripheral can create opportunities for change and innovation for a place, its people and their economic opportunities
Dissenting academies in England were peripheral by both location and religious affiliation. Being located physically outside of the historic power houses of Oxford, Cambridge and to a lesser degree London - and religiously being unaffiliated to the Church of England with many being Protestant, Unitarian, Presbyterian or Quaker. In addition, they had different educational aims, broadening from the historical aims of providing a common intellectual foundation for England's elite and clergy. Instead, these dissenting academies were focused on enabling those working in the trades - Mechanics and Artisans, of whatever trade to become knowledgeable about the practical "scientific" application in the pursuit of their trade.
This was essentially a method of cultivating knowledge through new institutions by building cultural, economic and political aims with a regional focus and affiliation.
From 1662 until the mid 1800s it was difficult to gain a university degree without being affiliated to an established university. The purpose of the degree was to define a common intellectual foundation for the elite and members of the clergy. From 1096 until the late middle ages these institutions were Oxford and Cambridge where a religious test was required (either on admission or to take a bachelor's degree).
During this period, 5 additional universities were added, with 3 in Scotland, 1 in Ireland and 1 in London (St Andrew's, King's College, Edinburgh, Marischal College, Fraserburgh University, Gresham College and Trinity College) respectively. These had similar religious requirements, to those created by Oxford and Cambridge, to confirm to the Church of England.
Within this context, dissenting academies were peripheral by definition
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