Marc Spooner
@drmarcspooner.bsky.social
Professor, Fac of Ed, University of Regina. Social/ political commentator. Say no to irresponsible austerity! opinions are yours
Reposted by Marc Spooner
We need tools like this. The university is indeed under siege. Without action, soon, we’ll have no public institutions and goods left.
In the spirit of open access to knowledge, you can download this book for free! No strings. Of course we hope you buy it, but that isn't necessary.
Knowledge Under Siege
Charting a Future for Universities
Knowledge Under Siege
Charting a Future for Universities
February 17, 2026 at 9:16 PM
We need tools like this. The university is indeed under siege. Without action, soon, we’ll have no public institutions and goods left.
In the spirit of open access to knowledge, you can download this book for free! No strings. Of course we hope you buy it, but that isn't necessary.
Knowledge Under Siege
Charting a Future for Universities
Knowledge Under Siege
Charting a Future for Universities
February 17, 2026 at 8:51 PM
In the spirit of open access to knowledge, you can download this book for free! No strings. Of course we hope you buy it, but that isn't necessary.
Knowledge Under Siege
Charting a Future for Universities
Knowledge Under Siege
Charting a Future for Universities
Reposted by Marc Spooner
Dr. Hank Reichman, former chair of AAUP's Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, emphasizes that the struggle to protect academic freedom and the rights of faculty is part of a larger struggle to defend the rights for everybody in a democratic society.
February 16, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Dr. Hank Reichman, former chair of AAUP's Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, emphasizes that the struggle to protect academic freedom and the rights of faculty is part of a larger struggle to defend the rights for everybody in a democratic society.
Reposted by Marc Spooner
“Abolishing gender programs & the lessons they have taught, will, Trump & his acolytes hope, undermine our ability not just to condemn, but also to critically analyze the policies & practices they want to impose.”
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why | Joan Wallach Scott
Texas A&M University is the latest school to end women’s and gender studies programs and teaching race. We know why
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:06 PM
“Abolishing gender programs & the lessons they have taught, will, Trump & his acolytes hope, undermine our ability not just to condemn, but also to critically analyze the policies & practices they want to impose.”
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Free Public Lecture Zoom
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling and Assault of Higher Education
February 24 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling and Assault of Higher Education
February 24 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling and Assault of Higher Education - International Association of Qualitative Inquiry (IAQI)
Join us on February 24th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST, (12 noon CST, 11:00 a.m. MST, 10:00 a.m. PST, 8:00 p.m. UK) for the first in our series of Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment with Dr. Abby Ferber and...
qualitativeinquiry.org
February 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Free Public Lecture Zoom
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling and Assault of Higher Education
February 24 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling and Assault of Higher Education
February 24 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM - 8 PM @ Crave, Regina, SK
Book Celebration:
Knowledge Under Siege: Charting a Future for Universities
Book Celebration:
Knowledge Under Siege: Charting a Future for Universities
February 12, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM - 8 PM @ Crave, Regina, SK
Book Celebration:
Knowledge Under Siege: Charting a Future for Universities
Book Celebration:
Knowledge Under Siege: Charting a Future for Universities
Reposted by Marc Spooner
If you’re in Regina
February 6, 2026 at 4:10 PM
If you’re in Regina
Reposted by Marc Spooner
Poor political decisions, a broken funding model, managerial leadership, and metric‑driven governance, which together are transforming the sector into something barely recognisable as a public university system by Constantinos Alexiou and George Saridakis
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impa...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impa...
Why are UK universities failing? - LSE Impact
The HE sector in the UK faces the prospect of a university going into administration. How have universities fallen so low and is change possible?
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Poor political decisions, a broken funding model, managerial leadership, and metric‑driven governance, which together are transforming the sector into something barely recognisable as a public university system by Constantinos Alexiou and George Saridakis
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impa...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impa...
10 years ago before Texas A&M became a “university”
The landscape did indeed change!
The landscape did indeed change!
February 5, 2026 at 8:55 PM
10 years ago before Texas A&M became a “university”
The landscape did indeed change!
The landscape did indeed change!
Reposted by Marc Spooner
I guess Governor if the USA annexes Alberta.
"A key figure in Alberta’s separatist movement said Premier Danielle Smith indicated to him that if the province goes it alone she’d stay on as its leader. And the title she’d prefer in the role is prime minister."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
"A key figure in Alberta’s separatist movement said Premier Danielle Smith indicated to him that if the province goes it alone she’d stay on as its leader. And the title she’d prefer in the role is prime minister."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
Smith Talked about Heading an Independent Alberta, Says Separatist Leader | The Tyee
Dennis Modry of APP made the claim about the premier to a room full of petition signers.
thetyee.ca
January 30, 2026 at 6:44 PM
I guess Governor if the USA annexes Alberta.
"A key figure in Alberta’s separatist movement said Premier Danielle Smith indicated to him that if the province goes it alone she’d stay on as its leader. And the title she’d prefer in the role is prime minister."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
"A key figure in Alberta’s separatist movement said Premier Danielle Smith indicated to him that if the province goes it alone she’d stay on as its leader. And the title she’d prefer in the role is prime minister."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
Reposted by Marc Spooner
We are but one gubernatorial election & one right-wing CEO/banker/politician chancellor away from becoming the "University" of Wisconsin - Madison the way Texas A&M "University" is now collapsing in on itself.
January 30, 2026 at 7:12 PM
We are but one gubernatorial election & one right-wing CEO/banker/politician chancellor away from becoming the "University" of Wisconsin - Madison the way Texas A&M "University" is now collapsing in on itself.
Reposted by Marc Spooner
Our letter rejecting the use of generative AI for reflexive qualitative research has now been published OA in Qualitative Inquiry - endorsed by over 400 researchers
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research - Tanisha Jowsey, Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke, Deborah Lupton, Michelle Fine, 2025
Four hundred and nineteen experienced qualitative researchers from 32 countries invite readers of Qualitative Inquiry to consider their position on use of gener...
journals.sagepub.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Our letter rejecting the use of generative AI for reflexive qualitative research has now been published OA in Qualitative Inquiry - endorsed by over 400 researchers
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Marc Spooner
This is a huge win for higher ed! Unfortunately, many institutions complied in advance and already folded many of their DEI efforts. This is an example of why it’s so important to resist until there is no other option. Most of the programs that were terminated won’t be resurrected. What a loss.
"After a lawsuit and a defeat in court, however, the Trump administration says it is dropping the matter entirely."
Trump letter banning DEI in schools is dead after legal appeal is dropped
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Trump letter banning DEI in schools is dead after legal appeal is dropped
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Trump letter banning DEI in schools is dead after legal appeal is dropped
The Education Department said it would accept a federal judge’s order killing guidance issued by the Trump administration in February on civil rights law.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:36 PM
This is a huge win for higher ed! Unfortunately, many institutions complied in advance and already folded many of their DEI efforts. This is an example of why it’s so important to resist until there is no other option. Most of the programs that were terminated won’t be resurrected. What a loss.
Reposted by Marc Spooner
Earlier this month, a provincial order requiring school boards in Alberta to ban books that portray “any explicit visual depiction of a sexual act” from their libraries, save for textbooks, went into effect. @readtheorchard.org writes. #abpoli
Versions of ‘1984’ and ‘Book of Genesis’ Banned in Alberta Schools | The Tyee
Graphic novels are the focus of the full list of prohibited books, revealed through FOI.
thetyee.ca
January 29, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Earlier this month, a provincial order requiring school boards in Alberta to ban books that portray “any explicit visual depiction of a sexual act” from their libraries, save for textbooks, went into effect. @readtheorchard.org writes. #abpoli
Look Conservatives- had Pierre Poilievre flown in the now failed WestJet ultra-dense, non-reclining seats—without a photographer— it might be newsworthy, otherwise it’s such 🥱 a yawn nothingburger you should probably just keep it to yourselves.
January 29, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Look Conservatives- had Pierre Poilievre flown in the now failed WestJet ultra-dense, non-reclining seats—without a photographer— it might be newsworthy, otherwise it’s such 🥱 a yawn nothingburger you should probably just keep it to yourselves.
Excited for this old/new organization, The International Association of Qualitative Inquiry
Dr. Ferber & I will be delivering its inaugural keynote over Zoom:
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling & Assault of Higher Education
Feb24 1pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
Dr. Ferber & I will be delivering its inaugural keynote over Zoom:
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling & Assault of Higher Education
Feb24 1pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling and Assault of Higher Education - International Association of Qualitative Inquiry (IAQI)
Join us on February 24th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST, (12 noon CST, 11:00 a.m. MST, 10:00 a.m. PST, 8:00 p.m. UK) for the first in our series of Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment with Dr. Abby Ferber and...
qualitativeinquiry.org
January 29, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Excited for this old/new organization, The International Association of Qualitative Inquiry
Dr. Ferber & I will be delivering its inaugural keynote over Zoom:
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling & Assault of Higher Education
Feb24 1pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
Dr. Ferber & I will be delivering its inaugural keynote over Zoom:
Qualitative Inquiry in this Moment: The Dismantling & Assault of Higher Education
Feb24 1pm
qualitativeinquiry.org/event/qualit...
These essential collections explore how universities can—and should—resist defunding, silencing, and the erosion of academic freedom.
Collect both Dissident Knowledge in Higher Education and Knowledge Under Siege, together in a limited-edition box set
uofrpress.ca/Books/D/Diss...
Collect both Dissident Knowledge in Higher Education and Knowledge Under Siege, together in a limited-edition box set
uofrpress.ca/Books/D/Diss...
January 29, 2026 at 3:44 AM
These essential collections explore how universities can—and should—resist defunding, silencing, and the erosion of academic freedom.
Collect both Dissident Knowledge in Higher Education and Knowledge Under Siege, together in a limited-edition box set
uofrpress.ca/Books/D/Diss...
Collect both Dissident Knowledge in Higher Education and Knowledge Under Siege, together in a limited-edition box set
uofrpress.ca/Books/D/Diss...
Reposted by Marc Spooner
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Pretty cool! the Press made a special box set of both our books which represents over 10+ years of scholarship on universities and their place in the world from a real whois who of academics.
January 28, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Pretty cool! the Press made a special box set of both our books which represents over 10+ years of scholarship on universities and their place in the world from a real whois who of academics.
It was an honour to speak to this topic so critical to our fragile democracy’s survival
Universities can be a “thorn in the side” of undemocratic governments in the post-truth era, according to the editor of a new book. Patrick Jack reports #academicsky #edusky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-threat-misinformation-post-truth-era
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-threat-misinformation-post-truth-era
January 28, 2026 at 7:36 PM
It was an honour to speak to this topic so critical to our fragile democracy’s survival
Reposted by Marc Spooner
Universities can be a “thorn in the side” of undemocratic governments in the post-truth era, according to the editor of a new book. Patrick Jack reports #academicsky #edusky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-threat-misinformation-post-truth-era
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-threat-misinformation-post-truth-era
January 25, 2026 at 8:15 AM
Universities can be a “thorn in the side” of undemocratic governments in the post-truth era, according to the editor of a new book. Patrick Jack reports #academicsky #edusky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-threat-misinformation-post-truth-era
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-threat-misinformation-post-truth-era
Reposted by Marc Spooner
Ignorance is power.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
www.science.org
January 27, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Ignorance is power.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Marc Spooner
TOMORROW: Two university students in Gaza share their lived experience & barriers to accessing a visa to study at a CDN university.
Monday, January 26, 9AM (SK time)
Please register for the event here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HK5DN3B
OR
DM me for the link.
Thank you.
Monday, January 26, 9AM (SK time)
Please register for the event here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HK5DN3B
OR
DM me for the link.
Thank you.
January 25, 2026 at 7:44 PM
TOMORROW: Two university students in Gaza share their lived experience & barriers to accessing a visa to study at a CDN university.
Monday, January 26, 9AM (SK time)
Please register for the event here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HK5DN3B
OR
DM me for the link.
Thank you.
Monday, January 26, 9AM (SK time)
Please register for the event here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HK5DN3B
OR
DM me for the link.
Thank you.