For no specific reason I have been reflecting on how academia has changed since my first job. The thing that sticks out most to me atm is the loss of humility. The requirement for everyone to be the best, be excellent, world leading, award winning, demonstrate leadership 1/

Along with constant competition for jobs, job security, grants, prizes, etc has landed us in a situation where we are unwilling, reluctant or scared to admit we don’t know something, that there are things we could learn from others, or take time to share ideas. 2/

Admin roles are no longer what you do to contribute to the team but are an opportunity to prove leadership. I think as we start a new way of working perhaps this is hitting me. The neoliberal university makes humility difficult. I think that’s a great loss. /end