Universities Under Fire: Hostile Discourses and Integrity Deficits in Higher Education

The book explores how the contemporary university is talked about and talks about itself, focusing on English higher education. It documents how an under-confident sector internalized the language and logic of government policy, leading to a flawed marketization project. Integrity deficits arose, with universities bragging about diversity and social responsibility without commensurate action, and global ambitions going unmatched by local accountability. Without self-assured new stories, underpinned by more transparent and moral forms of governance, universities risk further compromising their standing as trusted public institutions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the multifaceted discourse surrounding contemporary universities, shedding light on both their external portrayal and their internal self-reflection. With a specific focus on English higher education, author Jones meticulously documents how an initially under-confident sector inadvertently internalized the language and logic of government policy, leading to the normalization of competition and the pursuit of short-term advantages at the expense of collective societal well-being. This flawed marketization project was perpetuated by hostile discourses, which targeted purportedly "woke" universities as soft targets for right-leaning politicians and media commentators, while campuses became arenas for manufactured culture wars. Within this context, integrity deficits emerged, as universities trumpeted their commitment to diversity and social responsibility without matching actions, their global aspirations outstripped by local accountability, and senior management grew increasingly distant and self-rewarding, as contractual precarity increased for frontline staff.

Jones cautions against a nostalgic longing for a return to an era of academic self-rule. Instead, he advocates for the creation of self-assured new narratives, firmly supported by transparent and moral forms of governance, to prevent universities from further eroding their standing as trusted public institutions, particularly at a time when their expertise and resources are most urgently needed.

This thought-provoking book offers a valuable exploration of the complex dynamics shaping contemporary universities, challenging readers to consider the impact of marketization, political polarization, and the erosion of academic integrity on the institutions that shape our collective future.

Weight: 391g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030961060
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022