The conceit of activism in the illiberal university
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21728280 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bruce Macfarlane (0000-0002-9399-6155, University of Bristol, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 594-606 |
| Publication date | 2021-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Policy Futures in Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1478-2103 • E-ISSN: 1478-2103 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/14782103211003422 |
| OpenAlex | W3138434438 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 22 |
The popular image of activism in the university involves students and academics campaigning for social justice and resisting the neo-liberalisation of the university. Yet activism has been subtly corporatised through the migration of corporate social responsibility from the private sector into the university, a trend that may be illustrated by reference to the growing influence of research ‘grand challenges’ (GCs). Attracting both government and philanthro-capitalist funding, GCs adopt a socio-political stance based on justice globalism and represent a responsibilisation of academic research interests. Compliance with the rhetoric of GCs and the virtues of inter-disciplinarity have become an article of faith for academics compelled to meet the expectations of research-intensive universities in chasing the prestige and resources associated with large grant capture. The responsibilisation of the efforts of researchers, via GCs, erodes academic ownership of the research agenda and weakens the purpose of the university as an independent think tank: the essence of the Humboldtian ideal. The conceit of corporate activism is that in seeking to solve the world’s problems, the university will inevitably create new ones. Instead, as Flexner argued, it is only by preserving the independence and positive ‘irresponsibility’ of researchers that universities can best serve the world
Academic freedom · Economic Justice · Higher education · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Rhetoric · Sociology · Higher Education Governance and Development · Law · Public Administration
Academic freedom, corporate higher education, and the place of the university
Reflections on Urban Crises, the Science-Policy Interface and the Importance of “Tiny Revolts”
Making sense of academic service in unpredictable times
Co-opting and devaluing the sustainable development goals
Activism and academia
Learning to (depoliticize) critique
Holding ourselves to account
The new production of knowledge
Foucault and Political Reason
A Theory of Justice
Subcontracting Academia
Some Thoughts on University Education
Student Activism in the Neoliberal University
Climate change and education
Corporate responsibility and the movement of business
Reframing responsibility in an era of responsibilisation
From State responsibility for education and welfare to self-responsibilisation in the market
The birth of bio-politics
| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1,75 |
| Citation span | 2022 - 2026 (5) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |