Rise of Authoritarianism in Higher Education: A Critical Analysis of the Research Assessment Exercise in British Universities

This paper presents a critical analysis of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in terms of theory, practice, and a Kierkegaardian metaphor related to issues of authoritarianism, the individual, objectivity, subjectivity, and maieutic communication. The assumptions that underlie the principles of the RAE are problematic in that conflict and contradictions are an inevitable part of these assumptions, particularly as they relate to issues of power and resistance. Governments should embrace risk - a leap of faith - and trust the university to take care of itself. To do otherwise can only end in failure of the university and its ability to conduct research in good faith