The ‘Toxic University’

Join the Huddersfield Centre for Research in Education and Society for a public lecture by visiting Professor John Smyth from Federation University, Australia. The lecture offers a far-reaching critique of the way universities are now run, drawing from his widely acclaimed book The Toxic University – Zombie Leadership, Academic Rock stars and Neoliberal Ideology and will be of great interest to anyone working or studying in higher education.

 

The ‘Toxic University’—a provocation and disruption in higher education: some reflections

 

Professor John Smyth

Visiting Professor of Education and Social Justice, Huddersfield University Centre for Research in Education and Society (HUDCRES) & Emeritus Research Professor of Education, Federation University Australia
Author of The Toxic University – Zombie Leadership, Academic Rock stars and Neoliberal Ideology  

 

Abstract

Universities around the world have suffered over four decades of savage funding cuts that have dramatically changed the way they operate. This public lecture will draw from a widely acclaimed book by the presenter, and trace out the contours of the transformative changes visited upon universities, the effects on academic work, and upon the culture of universities generally. While debate and analysis of these matters can be confronting, it is argued to be necessary in order to sustain universities as one of our most crucial social institutions.

 

Biography

John Smyth is a sociologist with more than four decades of working in and analysing universities and schools, around the world. He is the author of more than 35 books and over 300 scholarly articles and chapters. He is an elected fellow of the Academy for the Social Sciences in Australia, a former Senior Fulbright Research Scholar, and the recipient of several awards from the American Educational Research Association for his research.

 

Part of the Huddersfield Centre for Research in Education and Society (HudCRES) events.

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