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Thinking Outside the Box: An Exercise in Heresy

University of Sunderland

This article argues that the theme of the 2003 American Educational Research Association conference, "Accountability for Educational Quality: Shared Responsibility," reflects a disturbing move in educational research away from inquiry and interrogation and toward the purpose of serving policy. This is related to wider political and rhetorical moves by which we both construct and are constructed by what Ball described as "global policyscapes" within which "thinking otherwise" becomes almost an impossibility. Our involvement, as educational researchers, in this process represents a form of collusion in our own oppression, the "organization of consent" embedded in Gramsci’s concept of hegemony, and there is an urgent need for a radical rethinking of our roles, rights, and responsibilities as researchers. A plea is made for a determined move toward "thinking outside the box" at a time when, and precisely because, to do so is conceived of as a form of heresy.

Key Words: accountability • educational research • policy • autonomy • organization of consent

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