Read on Twitter
I literally wrote the book on Brexit and British universities, interviewed a number of VCs and stakeholders, was never spoken to by the top-level Brexit working group at the institution. https://twitter.com/PWGTennant/status/1291685753840439296
This is standard across UK universities. Our expertise is commodified in symbolic ways and can be exchanged in particular ways (eg grants) but it isn't going to be listened to within institutions.
My book was heavily critical of government policy...
My book was heavily critical of government policy...
Most policymakers within universities won't go near experts who are heavily critical of government policy. UK universities are subordinated to the state; to engage this expertise would be to challenge state hegemony in 'steering' the system.
So much for the 'woke left' controlling institutions. Let's be clear though, evidence always has to align with power to some extent to get heard. It has to be useful to power.
If the expertise runs against the agenda of power it's delegitimsed and disregarded...
If the expertise runs against the agenda of power it's delegitimsed and disregarded...
...'the wrong science' etc.
I was hardly shocked when no-one asked for my opinion even though the book was reviewed in the THE which memorably said it should be in VC's offices.
The only good it would have done in most VC's offices is improve their aim at darts.
I was hardly shocked when no-one asked for my opinion even though the book was reviewed in the THE which memorably said it should be in VC's offices.
The only good it would have done in most VC's offices is improve their aim at darts.
On 'Critical University Studies' or HE policy analysis in academic settings more generally, @lizmorrish asked a while back if it could survive in the modern university.
I think the government's restructuring regime is telling on that one.
I think the government's restructuring regime is telling on that one.
At one institution I was memorably interviewed by a Dean and Professor of Drama who had the nerve to say that my research 'sounded like journalism'.
I am a contemporary historian/policy sociologist. Joy. Should have done Ibsen.
I am a contemporary historian/policy sociologist. Joy. Should have done Ibsen.
