Considerations on University Teacher Autonomy

With reference to Kant, autonomy is defined as “the courage to use your mind”. As to teacher autonomy, it is examined in terms of the freedom of research and teaching. The contemporary state of university teacher autonomy in Russia is identified as administrative-academic behaviorism: stimulus - reaction, stimulus - reaction... The teacher in this state is entirely reactive (not active) creature. As independence, teacher autonomy requires freedom from the so-called administrative resource. Teleology of teacher autonomy is connected with self-actualization in the sense of A. Maslow. Being self-governance, teacher autonomy is regulated by its own values, norms and ideals - in short, the academic ethos. Of course, autonomy can be abused. For the formation and development of academic autonomy we need to trust the teacher and his professionalism, as well as experience and common sense.

autonomy, teacher, independence, self-realization, self-governance, ethos, professionalism