NAVIGATING THE FUTURES OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM: A CRITICAL NETNOGRAPHY OF #ULSB16 Jordan Hotman Ekklesia Sitorus- Hamidah- Anak Agung Gde Satia Utama
University of Airlangga
Abstract
This research is motivated by the decision of the University of Leicester leadership to redundant lecturers and revoke scholarships for students researching political economy and critical perspectives on management and accounting. The redundancy decision led to various critical actions known as the #ULSB16 movement. Therefore, this research aims to examine how the actions of the #ULSB16 movement became a platform to fight for academic freedom while providing suggestions for the future on whether this movement is effective in fighting for academic freedom. We used the critical netnography method to achieve this goal, combining social movement analysis with Gramsci^s theory of hegemony. Based on the analysis results, we found that there are solidarity actions from various groups that aim to fight for academic freedom. These actions are realised through social media and open letters and demonstrations. However, these actions have not been able to change the decision of the university leadership due to the lack of political support. Despite the ineffectiveness of the struggle, the action provides a lesson for the future that political support is needed in the fight for academic freedom and radical research development, not just movements on social media. If such support cannot be obtained, research development can be carried out at independent institutions that are not bound by university rules.
