The Anthropology of Polarization in US Higher Education: Lessons for a Rapidly Changing Landscape

REYES-FOSTER, Beatriz (UCF) and BRONDO, Keri (U Memphis) 
The Anthropology of Polarization in US Higher Education: 
Lessons for a Rapidly Changing Landscape. Political polarization 
in the United States has stirred conflict in and against 
universities. These new culture wars unfold around inflection 
points such as critical race theory, restriction of access to 
reproductive and gender-affirming care, accusations of cancel 
culture or “woke” politics, and more. Faculty and students 
must contend with hostility towards concepts and ideas once 
thought settled such as “intersectionality,” “privilege,” and 
“structural racism.” Legislation aimed to surveil and intimidate 
faculty has resulted in a chilling effect, as faculty leave their 
positions or cancel courses. Panelists working on research on 
polarization in higher education share strategies for navigating 
research and teaching in these critical moments. beatriz.reyesfoster@ucf.edu (F-02)