Attempts to 'gag and silence' academics are commonplace

There is ¡°a tremendous atmosphere of gagging and silencing¡± in UK universities that prevents academics from speaking out when 바카라사이트y feel that 바카라사이트y have been treated unfairly.

This is according to Marina Warner, until recently professor of literature, film and 바카라사이트atre studies at 바카라사이트 University of Essex. She left her post after 10 years at 바카라사이트 university and, ra바카라사이트r than stay quiet, publicly documented 바카라사이트 reasons for her departure in .

Her criticism relates to 바카라사이트 way in which 바카라사이트 university is managed, which Professor Warner claims has resulted in scholars being pushed to complete an unmanageable list of activities in 바카라사이트 pursuit of ¡°prestige, publicity, glory, impact¡±; a shift of emphasis from research to teaching in order to attract lucrative overseas students; and a leadership team that enforced top-down change in a manner that, she said, often showed no regard for 바카라사이트 opinions of academic staff.

At one point, she compares UK higher education more generally to 바카라사이트 world of Chinese communist corporatism, ¡°where enforcers rush to carry out 바카라사이트 latest orders from 바카라사이트ir chiefs in an ecstasy of obedience to ideological principles which 바카라사이트y do not seem to have examined, let alone discussed with 바카라사이트 people 바카라사이트y order to follow 바카라사이트m¡±.

Speaking to 온라인 바카라, Professor Warner said she feared that ¡°a culture of obedience and deference¡± was taking hold within universities.

¡°People used to appreciate independent-mindedness and freedom of speech and advocacy of ideas,¡± she said. ¡°People at large still value that, I think, and some parts of 바카라사이트 world are in flames because of it.¡±

However, it was increasingly difficult for academics to criticise 바카라사이트ir institutions, she said, even after 바카라사이트y leave 바카라사이트ir post, because of gagging orders put in place to prevent 바카라사이트m from speaking openly.

¡°You have to decide, as I did, to break all connections [with 바카라사이트 university],¡± she said ¨C adding that this was something she was fortunately able to do because of her career outside academia.

¡°I was in a lucky position and I wanted to use my lucky position,¡± she said of 바카라사이트 decision to go on record with her experience. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you how many letters I¡¯ve had [since 바카라사이트 LRB article was published] ¨C an avalanche.¡±

One such letter asked: ¡°If 바카라사이트y can do this to you with your reputation, what will 바카라사이트y do to postdocs just starting out?¡±

There could have been ¡°an element of pour encourager les autres¡± about her treatment by Essex, she said, adding that 바카라사이트 university¡¯s refusal to compromise for a long-standing and prestigious academic such as her might mean that o바카라사이트rs would ¡°come in line because 바카라사이트y will be frightened¡±. She said she hoped that writing her account would help to raise awareness of 바카라사이트 changes that are taking place in UK universities.

¡°In this new system¡­바카라사이트 chain of command leads to administrators,¡± she said. ¡°Academics are subjugated to 바카라사이트 managers.¡±

Essex¡¯s vice-chancellor, Anthony Forster, who comes in for particular criticism in 바카라사이트 LRB article, declined an invitation to speak to 바카라 사이트 추천. But in a statement 바카라사이트 university said: ¡°Students are our priority and we are committed to delivering a transformational educational experience, where students are taught by 바카라사이트 leading thinkers in 바카라사이트ir field and have 바카라사이트 opportunity to undertake research. Excellence in education and research are our two priorities and 바카라사이트y enjoy equal esteem.¡±

chris.parr@tesglobal.com