Abstract:
The university is one of the oldest institutions globally and central to any democracy as a critic and conscience. University knowledge production contributes to the public good, educates critical professionals, provides expert knowledge to industry, and informs public policy. Over 3 decades, Australian universities have experienced the detrimental effects of corporate strategies of managerialism, marketisation and privatisation; a disproportionate increase in senior managers and administration, overuse of consultants, loss of professional autonomy, academic boards reduced to quality assurance, and lack of academic involvement in decision making, together leading to a lack of trust in executive management. The core work of universities is undermined by multiple policy failures:- reduced research funding; casualisation and underpay of staff; academic freedom under threat; failure to create safe workplaces for students and staff; lack of university expertise on University Councils and bloated VC salaries. The Accord correctly advocates student and equity funding, increasing support for regional universities, focuses on skills shortages and recognises poor university governance. But the Accord fails to address what the role of the university should be in the 21stC; that widening participation is contingent on increasing funding for public schools where most equity groups are, and the widespread disenchantment of academics with university governance. Recent policies linking international students to net migration are increasing differentiation among universities. How can universities be repositioned for the public good in the 21stC in times of heightened anxiety, geopolitical uncertainty, misinformation, generative AI and lack of trust in democratic institutions?