The Ideological Capture of Higher Education: Corporate Entryism, Governance Failure and Democratic Deficit

This article offers a critical perspective on the current state of Scottish higher education. It is informed not only by conventional forms of evidence (e.g., legislation, official reports and academic analysis) but also by the writer’s personal experience of working in different types of Scottish universities over a period of nearly fifty years. It argues that the vital democratic function of higher education has been weakened by a combination of factors: the steady incursion of corporate thinking into institutions that have traditionally been committed to a different value system; a growing divide between senior managers and front-line academic staff; performance management practices that tend to demoralise rather than incentivise; governance arrangements that fail to ensure adequate accountability for financial and strategic decisions. In developing these points, reference is made to the rapid expansion of the sector, the economic challenges this has presented, public criticism of the leaders of some institutions, and debates over academic freedom. Questions about where responsibility lies for the present situation, including whether academics themselves have shown insufficient resistance, are raised. It is acknowledged that, on the metrics that are currently employed, the leading Scottish universities show up well on UK and international comparisons. Much good work continues to be produced by dedicated individuals and teams of researchers. But will this continue if corporate culture remains unchecked?