Interrogating Academic Bullying in Higher Education: The Perspectives and Experiences of Asian Graduate Students

• In Event: Barriers and Burdens of Graduate Students in Higher Education

Abstract

While academic bullying has been documented in the literature, few studies empirically examined how it is tolerated, perpetuated, and normalized within the higher education system. Utilizing Critical Race Theory and Asian Critical Theory as the theoretical lenses, the current study centers the lived experiences of Asian international graduate students regarding their perspectives and experiences of academic bullying, through public online data and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the data showed that academic bullying is operationalized through power asymmetry, and further legitimized and normalized within a toxic environment where neoliberalism and meritocracy thrive. Implications are offered as to what stakeholders can do collectively to address academic bullying and combat systemic inequities and oppression.

Author

• Peiwen Wang, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  Presenting Author