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Reflections on Academic Austerity in the Neoliberal University

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Title: Reflections on Academic Austerity in the Neoliberal University
Language: English
Authors: Navé Wald (ORCID 0000-0002-0038-9322), Tony Harland (ORCID 0000-0002-0381-9949), Katia Caballero (ORCID 0000-0002-2385-8996)
Source: Higher Education Research and Development. 2026 45(1):306-318.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Research Universities, Neoliberalism, Educational Finance, Budgeting, Retrenchment, Educational Change, Efficiency, Educational Equity (Finance), Ideology
Geographic Terms: New Zealand
DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2025.2541639
ISSN: 0729-4360
1469-8366
Abstract: In this article, we are interested in the concept of austerity as a lens to examine contemporary academic work in the research-intensive university sector. This account is important and timely because austerity directly impacts on what is possible in academic work, and what subjects have a place in the university. It is a value that has become normalised in society, and it is now a management tool to control university operations. Austerity is used to justify change, while it appears to alter how managers think and work. Its effects are not felt evenly across the academy, with winners and losers in the austerity stakes. It is inevitably anti-intellectual and negatively affects academic culture and subject diversity, and so the university erodes its own core mission. We propose that to serve the broad needs of society the university needs to prioritise re-investing in academics, research and teaching. This change will not happen without action from a fully unified academic community. Here, we draw on recent experiences in Aotearoa New Zealand to start a critical conversation about austerity in the university.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503795
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Reflections on Academic Austerity in the Neoliberal University
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Navé+Wald%22">Navé Wald</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0038-9322">0000-0002-0038-9322</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tony+Harland%22">Tony Harland</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0381-9949">0000-0002-0381-9949</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Katia+Caballero%22">Katia Caballero</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2385-8996">0000-0002-2385-8996</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Higher+Education+Research+and+Development%22"><i>Higher Education Research and Development</i></searchLink>. 2026 45(1):306-318.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22New+Zealand%22">New Zealand</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/07294360.2025.2541639
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  Data: 0729-4360<br />1469-8366
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  Data: In this article, we are interested in the concept of austerity as a lens to examine contemporary academic work in the research-intensive university sector. This account is important and timely because austerity directly impacts on what is possible in academic work, and what subjects have a place in the university. It is a value that has become normalised in society, and it is now a management tool to control university operations. Austerity is used to justify change, while it appears to alter how managers think and work. Its effects are not felt evenly across the academy, with winners and losers in the austerity stakes. It is inevitably anti-intellectual and negatively affects academic culture and subject diversity, and so the university erodes its own core mission. We propose that to serve the broad needs of society the university needs to prioritise re-investing in academics, research and teaching. This change will not happen without action from a fully unified academic community. Here, we draw on recent experiences in Aotearoa New Zealand to start a critical conversation about austerity in the university.
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Efficiency
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Equity (Finance)
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      – SubjectFull: New Zealand
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