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Re-Imagining the Idea of the University for a Post-Capitalist Society G T Saunders Doctor of Philosophy 2020

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Re-Imagining the Idea of the University for a Post-Capitalist Society G T Saunders Doctor of Philosophy 2020 Re-Imagining the Idea of the University for a Post-Capitalist Society G T Saunders Doctor of Philosophy 2020 Re-Imagining the Idea of the University for a Post-Capitalist Society Gary Thomas Saunders A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Lincoln in the College of Social Science, School of Social and Political Science, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 10th January 2020 Page 1 Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................... 5 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Research Questions .......................................................................................................................... 31 Importance and Contribution of Research Findings ..................................................................... 32 Structure of the Thesis ..................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 1: Higher Education Policy and Reform in England (1945- present) ............................. 40 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 40 The Immediate Post-War Period ..................................................................................................... 41 The Beginning of ‘Mass Higher Education’ .................................................................................. 43 The Rise of the Neoliberal University ............................................................................................. 49 Coalition’s Reforms to Higher Education ...................................................................................... 54 Impact of the Reforms ...................................................................................................................... 64 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 71 Chapter 2: Protest and Resistance: The Emergence of Autonomous Learning Spaces ............... 73 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 73 The 1968 Student Protests ............................................................................................................... 74 The Student Protests 2010: The ‘New Student Rebellions’ ............................................................ 93 The Emergence of Autonomous Learning Spaces ....................................................................... 109 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 118 Chapter 3: Understanding the Practical and Theoretical Significance of Autonomous Learning Spaces ................................................................................................................................................. 120 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 120 Defining Autonomous Spaces ....................................................................................................... 123 Prefiguration and Autonomous Practices ..................................................................................... 131 Two Traditions: Anarchism and Marxism .................................................................................... 134 Small-a Anarchism ........................................................................................................................ 136 Autonomist and Open Marxism..................................................................................................... 144 Autonomous Spaces and Left-Wing Convergence ........................................................................ 151 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 163 Chapter 4: Methodology ................................................................................................................... 166 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 166 Research Questions ........................................................................................................................ 166 Research Design ............................................................................................................................. 167 Page 2 Participatory Action Research at the Social Science Centre ........................................................ 171 Case Studies: Six Autonomous Learning Spaces Based in the UK ............................................. 178 Research Methods .......................................................................................................................... 181 Participant Observation ................................................................................................................. 181 Semi-Structured Interviews ........................................................................................................... 184 Web-based Documentary Research ............................................................................................... 185 Thematic Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 188 Strengths and Limitations of Methodology and Methods ............................................................. 189 Ethics .............................................................................................................................................. 192 Chapter 5: Participatory Action Research and the Social Science Centre .................................. 195 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 195 The Roots of the Social Science Centre ........................................................................................ 196 Creating Autonomous Learning Spaces Outside of Higher Education: The Birth of the Social Science Centre ................................................................................................................................ 203 Developing an Organisational Form............................................................................................. 207 Grounded in Democratic and Non-Hierarchical Principles ........................................................ 213 Student Recruitment and Learning Support ................................................................................. 217 Adopting a Pedagogical Model: Student as Producer and Critical Pedagogy ............................. 219 An Example of Developing and Delivering a Course: The Co-operation and Education Course 2014 ................................................................................................................................................ 232 Co-operation and Education Conference 2014 ............................................................................ 253 Annual General Meeting 2014 ...................................................................................................... 256 Occupying Space in the City of Lincoln ........................................................................................ 258 Creating Links Between Autonomous Learning Spaces .............................................................. 264 What can be learned from the Social Science Centre?................................................................. 268 Chapter 6: Case Study Research with Six Autonomous Learning Spaces in the UK ................. 277 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 277 Birmingham Radical Education (BRE(A)D): We Will Rise… ................................................. 278 Free University Brighton: Education for Love, Not Money ..................................................... 289 People’s Political Economy – Oxford .......................................................................................... 300 The IF Project – London (UK) .................................................................................................... 309 The Ragged University: Knowledge is power, but only when it is shared…. .......................... 321 The Really Open University: Strike – Occupy - Transform ......................................................... 330 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 337 Chapter 7: What can be learned from these autonomous learning spaces? Re-Imagining the Idea of the University for a Post-Capitalist Society ....................................................................... 341 Page 3
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