Churn: The Unacceptable Face of the Global Knowledge Economy?

Abstract

Using the background of a visit to North America, this article considers the symptoms of change in the university labour market of the global knowledge economy and raises concerns for those working in higher education to consider
for the future. It discusses university outsourcing, and the work of academic staff. The particular focus is ‘precarious’ work for students and university academics, and the consequential effects on the three key aspects of the university: research, teaching and service. It ends by suggesting that academia needs to go back and reclaim the ideals of the university as a community of scholars and teachers.