The Flying and the Fleeing

The Flying and the Fleeing

How universities around the world are escaping authoritarian pressure and disaster Part 2. Sofia Smyslova   Photo: Some researchers argue that leaving is the only and most powerful way of opposing the authoritarian regime. Photo by Michal Balog on Unsplash  ...
The Flying and the Fleeing

The Flying and the Fleeing

How universities around the world are escaping authoritarian pressure and disaster  Part 1. Sofia Smyslova   Photo: These illegal university courses moved between safe houses, hence the name “flying university.” Photo by David Clode on Unsplash   Authoritarian regimes...
“Free People in Unfree Conditions”

“Free People in Unfree Conditions”

Benjamin Nathans explores the phenomenon of academic dissidence in the USSR. Dmitry Dubrovsky   Photo: Andrei Sakharov had his own “stumbling block.” Photo by Re2000 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=106564383   The...
An Unceremonious Approach

An Unceremonious Approach

Universities as Tools of Power Irina Busygina   Photo: For university rectors, playing by the rules does not entail uncovering the “great big real world” for students, but rather reducing the world to a vulgar version of the patriotic narrative. Photo by Borja...
Student Placement vs. Academic Freedom

Student Placement vs. Academic Freedom

After 35 years, the planned economy system is returning to Russian higher education. Dmitry Dubrovsky   Photo: Under Stalin, failure to appear at your assigned place of work after graduation was considered truancy and was punishable under the criminal code. Photo...