It Could Happen Here Palestine and the American University feat. Dana El Kurd
Aug 26, 2025
Dana El Kurd, a writer and associate professor of political science, delves into the landscape of higher education in America. She discusses how the Trump administration has targeted universities, particularly regarding pro-Palestine protests. El Kurd highlights the challenges of academic autonomy and the push for censorship in discussing Palestine. The conversation also addresses the ethical responsibilities of universities in shaping narratives and the impact of recent Supreme Court rulings on access and equity in education.
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Universities As Strategic Power Centers
- Dana El Kurd argues universities are sites of power because they produce knowledge that fuels economic and state power.
- She links university research and talent to U.S. global influence and private-sector innovation.
Corporatization Undermines Dissent
- El Kurd explains universities can also challenge orthodoxies through diverse scholars and faculty governance.
- She warns corporatization and erosion of faculty control weaken that countervailing power.
Access To Quality Education Has Narrowed
- The decline in accessible, high-quality education predates current political attacks and stems from market-driven changes.
- El Kurd notes only the wealthy or exceptionally talented avoid debt-driven barriers to good education.
