The Corporatization and Environmental Sustainability of Australian Universities: A Critical Perspective

This book explores the contradictory relationship between corporatization and environmental sustainability in universities due to capitalist parameters, highlighting the gap between what they claim to do and their actual practices. It offers a critique and alternative to the status quo.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate interplay between two trends prevalent in universities: corporatisation and environmental sustainability, highlighting their inherent contradictions rather than their compatibility. Hans A. Baer, in his insightful analysis, argues that this contradiction is an inevitable outcome of the capitalist parameters within which these institutions operate. These parameters include a relentless pursuit of economic growth, which perpetuates social inequality, environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Through a comprehensive examination of archival sources and Baer's firsthand experiences in university sustainability forums, the book unveils the gap between what universities purport to achieve in terms of environmental sustainability and their actual research, educational, operational, and institutional practices.

Presenting a critical critique of the current status quo, this book offers a radical alternative for academics and students specialising in anthropology, environmental studies, and higher education. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complexities and challenges of reconciling corporate interests with the urgent need for sustainable development. By shedding light on the contradictions between these two trends, this book encourages readers to reimagine the role of universities in promoting a more equitable and environmentally responsible future.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032568096