Universities Upside Down: The Impact of the New Knowledge Economy

Abstract

Engaging with the fiftieth anniversary theme of "Knowledge Reconsidered: Feminism in the Academy at York," this presentation will consider the knowledge revolution that is presently occurring in the academy. Instead of pursuing knowledge for its own sake, à la Newman, universities everywhere are playing a key role in the production of new knowledge as required by nation states. The effect of global trends such as the commodiflcation of knowledge and knowledge transfer will be addressed. The key question in light of these phenomena is what space is there within the new paradigm for the pursuit of feminist, critical, and theoretical knowledge that lacks market value? Show more