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Collective writing as survival tool: Mechanisms of reflexivity against neoliberal academia

Campbell, Simon; Floristán Millán, Elisa; Wolf, Otto; Thornton, Rich; Riva, Sara

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Authors

Simon Campbell

Elisa Floristán Millán

Otto Wolf

Rich Thornton

Sara Riva



Abstract

This paper introduces an innovative method for enhanced researcher reflexivity: the use of synchronous collective writing as a space to collaboratively reflect on experiences of subjectification within the contemporary academy. We explore how, despite its apparent importance to contemporary research, the neoliberalisation of academia leaves little room for meaningful reflexivity. The authors in this paper – ranging from Master’s student to postdoctoral researcher – wrote collaboratively in real-time to organically develop a method of collective reflexivity. Through auto-ethnographic vignettes that act as raw data, and a critical analysis of how we came to experience the events showcased in these vignettes, we analyse how our positionalities shape both our subjection to, and perpetuation of, systems of symbolic violence in neoliberal academic institutions. Through this method, we explore experiences of the contemporary university as patriarchal, intensively marketised, and as a space where the prevalence of ‘weak’ reflexivity has negative impacts on research ethics. We argue that the affect of collaborative writing spaces acts as a resistance against our experiences of loneliness, competition and individualism. We also argue our new approach fosters research that is more responsive to the socio-material conditions to which it attends, and enables a deeper engagement with affect-led methodologies and slow-research.

Citation

Campbell, S., Floristán Millán, E., Wolf, O., Thornton, R., & Riva, S. (2024). Collective writing as survival tool: Mechanisms of reflexivity against neoliberal academia. Emotion, Space and Society, 50, Article 101007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emospa.2024.101007

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 8, 2024
Publication Date Feb 27, 2024
Deposit Date Nov 27, 2024
Publicly Available Date Nov 27, 2024
Journal Emotion, Space and Society
Print ISSN 1755-4586
Electronic ISSN 1878-0040
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 50
Article Number 101007
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emospa.2024.101007
Keywords Affect, Feminist, Positionality, Critical, Collectivity, Research methodology
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755458624000082

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