Who Controls Knowledge? Neoliberalism, Liberalism, and Illiberalism in Academia

What happens when universities shift from being spaces of critical thinking and public knowledge to institutions shaped by market logic? In this episode, we explore the transformation of higher education under neoliberalism—how academia has moved away from its traditional role and into a system driven by efficiency metrics, privatization, and corporate partnerships.Andrea Pető, Dina Gusejnova, Elena Trifan, and Tania Arcimovich discuss the tension between liberal, neoliberal, and illiberal universities, the precarious conditions of academic labor, and how these forces impact both students and faculty. They also examine the inequalities within academic mobility and the broader implications for knowledge production in a time of polycrisis.Join us as we critically assess the current state of academia and discuss alternatives for a more inclusive and egalitarian university system.