Innovation as a neoliberal ‘silver bullet’: critical reflections on the EU’s Erasmus + Key Action 2

Ord, Jon (2020) Innovation as a neoliberal ‘silver bullet’: critical reflections on the EU’s Erasmus + Key Action 2. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education. pp. 1-15. ISSN 0159-6306

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2020.1812053

Abstract

This paper critically evaluates the concept of innovation, in the context of the funding of youth work within Erasmus+ Key Acton 2, but the findings are applicable to other settings which emphasise innovation. The paper argues that, first, innovation is problematic because it lacks a definition. Second, innovation is founded on a neoliberal business model, where solutions are identified and mainstreamed, and the consumer is the ultimate arbiter. Third, the importance of innovation as both context dependent and contested is not appreciated. One result of these problems is that established professional knowledge is undermined, and an emphasis on innovation also has the potential to run counter to the existing established educational practices of youth work. It is argued that innovation is becoming a euphemism for quality, and therefore innovation is taking on the guise of a ‘silver bullet’ for wider EU policy problems.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Innovation, neoliberalism, youth work, EU policy, context, established educational practices
Depositing User:	Ms Raisa Burton
Date Deposited:	25 Aug 2020 08:22
Last Modified:	23 Feb 2022 04:50
URI:	https://marjon.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17611
Related URLs:	https://www.tan ... 06.2020.1812053 (Publisher URL)

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