Quo vadis, Academia?

Abstract

In this essay on how the ideological governance of the university influences academic freedom, we base our arguments on two case studies of individual researchers questioning initiatives that were largely portrayed as good, proper and true. By studying how critique against these initiatives are met, we show how assumptions about goodness function as a form of normative control which also affects the formal exercise of power. We show how this governance prevents constructive dialogue within the university, and end with a reflection on how the threat against academic freedom can be traced from within as well as outside of academia.