Higher Education, State Repression, and Neoliberal Reform in Nicaragua: Reflections from a University under Fire

This book highlights the liberatory practices undertaken by faculty and students at the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in Nicaragua to resist state repression and neoliberal reform. It uses a critical ethnographic approach to showcase activism in teaching, research, and administration, emphasizing the importance of critical higher education and international solidarity for maintaining academic freedom and social outreach.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking volume makes a vital contribution to ongoing discussions surrounding the university's role as a space of resistance by shedding light on the liberatory practices employed at the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in Nicaragua to counter the dual pressures of state repression and neoliberal reform. Through a critical ethnographic lens, the book presents a series of vignettes and chapters that contextualize and analyze the experiences of faculty and students, highlighting the activism present within teaching, research, and administration. At the same time, it draws attention to the critical importance of higher education and international solidarity in preserving academic freedom, university autonomy, the production of oppositional knowledge, and social outreach in higher education across the globe.

This text is of immense value to researchers, students, and academics specializing in higher education, educational policy and politics, and international and comparative education. Those with interests in equality and human rights, Central America, and the broader themes of revolution and protest will also find this volume to be highly informative and engaging.

The book begins by providing a comprehensive overview of the historical and political context in which UCA operates, highlighting the challenges faced by the university and its students in the face of state repression and neoliberal reform. It then delves into the various strategies employed by faculty and students to resist these pressures, including collective bargaining, grassroots organizing, and the use of alternative modes of education and knowledge production.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of education in promoting social change and challenging dominant power structures. The authors argue that universities can be powerful agents of transformation when they prioritize the pursuit of knowledge and social justice over the interests of corporations and the state. They showcase examples of how UCA faculty and students have used their education to advocate for marginalized communities, promote environmental sustainability, and challenge the political and economic status quo.

Another important aspect of the book is its focus on the importance of international solidarity in the struggle for academic freedom and social justice. The authors argue that universities can only thrive in an environment of free expression and academic freedom, and that they must work together with other institutions and organizations to promote these values globally. They highlight the role of international networks and alliances, such as the World Social Forum and the International Federation of University Women, in supporting and amplifying the voices of academic and student activists around the world.

Throughout the book, the authors use a combination of empirical research, theoretical analysis, and personal narratives to shed light on the experiences of faculty and students at UCA. The vignettes and chapters provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the challenges and victories faced by these individuals and their communities, and they offer valuable insights into the strategies and tactics employed by activists in the field of higher education.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking volume makes a significant contribution to the ongoing debates surrounding the role of the university as a space of resistance. By highlighting the liberatory practices undertaken at UCA and the critical importance of higher education and international solidarity in preserving academic freedom and social justice, the book provides valuable insights and inspiration for activists and scholars working in the field of higher education around the world.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032057330