Commodification and contradiction in academic research

Abstract

Despite the growing interest in participatory research forms and collaboration around community action, and social justice-oriented public service, academics in the U.S. are caught in a dilemma. While U.S. academics increasingly desire to work in community and participatory work, they face contradictions in the form of institution of higher education reward systems, merit pay structures, and promotions and tenure requirements tied to a system of science which fosters the classification of knowledge as a product, or commodity. Commodification pressures cannot be entirely eliminated, but five resistance strategies for faculty members are discussed.