In my last years in academia, I have experienced the intimidating impact of pettybureaucracy and top-down micromanagement that typify managerialism in higher education today. In this paper I use my own experiences to reflect on why this is happening, attempting to gain understanding that can support others still working in the sector to survive and ultimately thrive. I argue that neoliberalism operates as an ideology, shaping the way we perceive and act in the world. In higher education, it is enacted through managerialism, together creating a social imaginary that defines what is expected of managers and what is expected of workers. Women are particularly vulnerable in this social imaginary given that the challenges they face in the workforce are attributed to their own shortcomings rather than any systemic barriers. Women face choices as to how to operate in this social imaginary, but all choices have consequences that need to be understood and managed. Ultimately, systemic disadvantage will not change without significant action taken by collectives of women who have a clear vision of better alternatives.

中文翻译：

---

新自由主义世界的女性学者，管理高等教育

在我学术界的最后几年中，我经历了小规模的官僚主义和自上而下的微观管理的可怕影响，这是当今高等教育中管理主义的典型代表。在本文中，我将以自己的经验来反思为什么会这样，以试图理解可以支持仍在该行业工作的其他人生存并最终蓬勃发展的情况。我认为新自由主义是一种意识形态，影响着我们在世界上的感知和行动方式。在高等教育中，它是通过管理主义来制定的，共同创造了一种社会假想，它定义了对管理者的期望和对工人的期望。妇女在这种社会想象中特别脆弱，因为她们在劳动力中面临的挑战是由于她们自身的缺点而不是任何系统性障碍。妇女面临着如何在这种社会想象中进行操作的选择，但是所有选择都有其后果，需要理解和管理。最终，如果没有对更好的替代方案有明确愿景的妇女集体采取重大行动，系统性不利条件将不会改变。