Creating spaces of refusal in the neoliberal academy

Abstract

Collective action has always been the heartbeat of social justice movements. However, existing systems pressure people to focus on hyper-competition and eradicate the ability to collectively resist systemic oppression. Unfortunately, education scholars rarely critically and theoretically analyze how they can and do collectively refuse neoliberal pressures in the context of higher education. In this article, we examine how neoliberal contexts induce individualistic hyper-competition, fragment community, and hinder collective action in academia. Building on this analysis, we draw from our own experiences to highlight some of the ways that scholars advocating social justice might create space and time to challenge these pressures and provide time to focus energies on local radical forms of refusal. Specifically, we highlight the value of creating spaces and time for radical care, radical dreams, and radical formations. We conclude with questions that invite readers to join us in grappling with how to envision these spaces.

Keywords:

• Neoliberalism
• resistance
• social justice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Samuel D. Museus

Samuel D. Museus is a professor of education studies at University of California, San Diego and founding director of the National Institute for Transformation and Equity (NITE). He conducts research focused on diversity and equity, campus environments, and college student outcomes.

Christen T. Sasaki

Christen T. Sasaki is an assistant professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, San Diego. Her research and published work focus on transnational U.S. history, Asian American history, and race and empire.