Citation

Flood M, Martin B, Dreher T. Aust. Univ. Rev. 2013; 55(1): 17-26.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, National Tertiary Education Union)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Academics can engage in and contribute to activism in various ways. Some are involved in action groups on issues such as climate change and treatment of asylum seekers. Some undertake research and speak to the media about indigenous, environmental, gender and other issues. Others campaign on matters of concern within universities, including through unions and professional associations. Other possibilities include undertaking research that informs or supports activism, and advising and supporting activist students. These and other forms of academic activism can be risky. Academics who seek to combine activism with work in the university can be subject to threats, abuse, silencing tactics, and peer pressure and scholarly expectations to shift away from activism. In this paper, the authors explore these obstacles with an emphasis on strategies for avoiding the pitfalls and maintaining commitment as an activist-oriented academic. Drawing on their diverse experiences of activism, academia and community-engaged research, the authors suggest possible responses to the many pressures on activist academic work, paying particular attention to the challenges faced by early career academics.

Language: en