Prising Open the Cracks in Neoliberal Universities

Abstract

Working in universities in the twenty-first century is a challenging endeavour. It is hard not to feel overwhelmed by the extent to which neoliberalism is crushing the lifeblood of inspiration out of academe. Vivid testimonies abound of the toxicity, barbarism and horrific psychological cost of neoliberal universities. This volume seeks to trace how we might prise open the cracks in neoliberal logic and find ways to follow Readings call to “dwell in the ruins”. We draw on recent examples of managerial ruthlessness to expose the cracks or flawed logic that permit conditions of possibility for collegiality, creativity and activism and new counter-ontologies of critical resistance and radical hope. These chapters highlight the importance of relational and collective processes in formation of counter-ontologies and praxis, drawing attention to feminist, intersectional and decolonising criticalities that are necessary to mobilise in our struggle.