Social Media and Academic Freedom: A Critical Reflection of Martin Weller’s The Digital Scholar: How Technology is Transforming Scholarly Practice

Higson-Bliss, Laura

Abstract

As the neoliberal state has taken hold of the university sector, we as academics are feeling increasing pressure to publicise ourselves, our scholarship, and our research online. In recent years there has been a drive in showcasing our work across social media platforms, whether our own or our institutions’. Martin Weller’s ‘The Digital Scholar’ acknowledges the importance of having a social media presence in academia (something I wholeheartedly agree with). Yet he also argues that such use of social media allows us as academics to be our own content creators (something I wholeheartedly disagree with). Using Weller’s ‘The Digital Scholar’ as a framework, this critical reflection discusses the benefits of having an online platform in academia but also highlights that true academic freedom on social media platforms, does not exist. We as employees of an institution are subject to a social media policy and in turn, our employer does have some control over what we post online. This critical reflection concludes by highlighting the need for legal education for all academics who post on social media platforms.

Citation

Higson-Bliss, L. (2023). Social Media and Academic Freedom: A Critical Reflection of Martin Weller’s The Digital Scholar: How Technology is Transforming Scholarly Practice. The Journal of Academic Development and Education, https://doi.org/10.21252/wdxt-g215

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 15, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 29, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 29, 2024
• Journal: The Journal of Academic Development and Education
• Print ISSN: 2051-3593
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.21252/wdxt-g215
• Keywords: Academic Freedom, Social Media, Law, Neoliberalism
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/707570
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.21252/wdxt-g215