Taking a stand or standing aside? How to conceptualize the emerging phenomenon of university activism

Abstract

This study aims to conceptualize an emerging and still understudied phenomenon, defined as university activism. Academic institutions appear to be following the same path as activist businesses, thus, entering a complex yet highly intriguing political arena. Today, more than ever, with conflicts ongoing in various parts of the world and geopolitical tensions, the role of universities is becoming extremely central. Drawing on two structured and significant literature fields - namely, corporate activism and public engagement - this research employs a multiple case study approach, gathering and analyzing data from fifty high-ranked American universities using the Abductive Grounded Theory approach. The results provide a comprehensive definition of university activism and identify its key explanatory factors. These are thoroughly discussed and synthesized into the explanatory framework of the “4 W of University Activism”, which delineates activist efforts, potentially involved actors, target audience, and where activism is communicated. Lastly, this study offers significant implications for scholars in directing future research on this novel topic, for universities in understanding and implementing activist strategies, and for policymakers in comprehending the potential of university activism and supporting its implementation.