Social Movements and Resistance Studies in Neoliberal Times

This article addresses the challenges that resistance and social movement studies face within the framework of neoliberal academia, specifically focusing on the role of ethics review committees. It argues that current ethics guidelines, shaped by a neoliberal approach, can hinder participatory action research, which is essential for socially engaged scholarship. The institutional focus on ethical "principlism" often limits the scope of inquiry, potentially silencing critical research that seeks to challenge societal structures. Furthermore, the article suggests that as universities increasingly operate within a corporate logic, ethics committees contribute to the individualization and governance of academics, reinforcing neoliberal norms. This, in turn, has significant implications for how resistance and social movements are studied and engaged with in academic contexts.