2025 Wheelwright Lecture: Should we abolish universities?

2025 marks the 50th year of Political Economy at the University of Sydney and the 18th Annual E.L. ‘Ted’ Wheelwright Lecture. Please join us for this most thought-provoking lecture and share in the celebratory milestone.

In the last generation there has been heavy criticism of what universities have become, in an era of commercialism and managerial control. This lecture will discuss the main points of criticism, whether they amount to a case for abolition, and what practical processes of abolition are under way. It looks at the prosperity of higher education as a global industry, and tries to probe a little into the contradictory situation we are now in: the corrosion of the labour process, the sustainability of the workforce, the appropriation of benefits, and current pressures on critique and truth. Finally, it touches on the history of the sector and some memorable examples of struggle and change.

Raewyn Connell is a notorious sociologist, suspected of research on gender relations, ruling classes, masculinities, schools, sexuality, social justice, and the global economy of knowledge. Her books include The Good University; Southern Theory; Masculinities; Gender & Power; Making the Difference; and Ruling Class Ruling Culture. Her most recent book, Trans Lives, will be published in 2026. Her work has been translated into 24 languages so far. Raewyn has taught at three Australian universities and for shorter periods at four universities overseas. She was foundation professor of sociology at Macquarie University and is currently Professor Emerita of the University of Sydney and Life Member of the NTEU.

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