Introduction Lecture 1, 29th January 2020. Reading and Reflection

This blog summarises some thoughts from the reading of ‘Race and the Neoliberal University’ by John Holmwood and ‘Improving teaching: Enhancing ways of being university teachers’ by Gloria Dall’ Alba. Being aware that this is a very complex and sensitive subject, which requires further enquiry. This is an initial reflection on some of the questions

• To what extent are individuals personally responsible for their success?
• What is the justification for some people earning less than others?
• What does social solidarity mean to you?

Personal responsibility of success

It is important to first of all see the individual in the context of where they come from and who they are, as we are part of an interconnected system not an ‘independent particle’. With this understanding of their background including the culture they come from, their ethical background, personal advantages and disadvantages of the individual.

By understanding the individual and their context one also need to take in account what support systems of growth the individual has access to (Holmwood, 2018). The support system of growth could be access to various education, a nurturing system of support that encourages curious learning and discovery, social structure that supports the individual’s evolving (Dall ‘Alba, 2005). Some character types have the force to overcome certain hurdles and challenges which make them stronger and some don’t have the internal resources to do so and stop to engage or loose the will to pursue their learning.

This leads me to the second point of what is defined as success. Is success defined as a general measure or does the individual define their personal definition of success, which could be of personal, financial or social nature. This sets the ‘frame’ of the scope of the personal ability to create success. Within this ‘frame’, understanding the person in their context one has a larger or smaller scope to create their definition of success and within this existing frame the responsibility to shape the success the individual is able to create.

Justification of difference in earnings

The difference in earning is often justified on the added value to the economy, ability to solve problems or provide services. This is often connected to the specialist knowledge and skill that the person adds to a company or organisation. This very complex subject requires more understanding of the connection between economics, global justice, law and other specialised areas.

Holmwood points out one factor that contributes to the divergent earnings in ‘The Race and the Neoliberal University. ‘Universities previously associated with elite social reproduction … sought to transfer that elite status into research activities, while also presenting themselves as providing access to superior employment opportunities in a purportedly meritocratic system of recruitment.’ (Holmwood, 2018, p.5)

The access to certain professional positions which have a chance of higher earnings is connected to the access of education. In neoliberal education this is very often connected to the level of financial support that a family is able to provide. Therefore, neoliberal education systems are contributing to the growing difference in earnings.

What does social solidarity mean to you?

As humans we are interconnected in a large web of life which includes humanity and the ecological system.  At the moment this web is drastically out of balance where there is a lot of injustice, suffering and exploitation.

To me social solidarity implies an acknowledgement of our shared interests and act on it. It requires firstly that we care enough to engage with potentially an uncomfortable reality that concern others while recognising our interconnectedness. It requires willingness to see injustice, engage with subjects that are potentially outside our immediate field of concern and bubble of our own reality; the openness, willingness to listen and curiosity to learn. This process in consequence will change one’s sense of reality and oneself.  In consequence it requires to act in our field of influence for a greater interest than just one’s own.

As individuals we hold various privileges, some more and some less. Through these privileges we have abilities to make something happen, our own individual power. With that power it comes the responsibility to use it in a way that oneself and the people around benefit that contributes to the restoration of that balance.

‘An essential aspect of this integration (of enhanced knowing) is continuing to be reflexive about teaching practice as the contexts in which we teach change.‘ (Dall’ Alba, 2005, p. 11)

Solidarity in an educational context incorporates the ability to be reflexive in teaching, that allows to respond to individual students’ needs with the aim to support the integration of knowledge through acting and being and thus be aware of a balance and inclusion in the classroom.

Bibliography

Dall’ Alba, G., (2005). Improving Teaching: Enhancing Ways of Being University Teachers. Higher Education Research & Development, Brisbane: University of Queensland

Holmwood, J., (2018). Race and the Neoliberal University: Lesson for a Public University