1984 revisited: Implications for leaders in higher education in the United States

Abstract

This article offers a current perspective on George Orwell’s 1984 (1949) utopian society in the context of 2022 and implications for higher education and society in the United States. Societies have experienced numerous issues portrayed in 1984 including power struggles and censorship, and identity politics and cancel culture are impeding an open discussion of ideas. Higher education has been considered a bastion of intellectual inquiry and spirited discussions, where faculty members are in a position of authority in the classroom. This authority can influence the learning environment and experiences; however, both faculty and students are feeling threats from various sectors both internally and externally. To address these matters, findings from various reports and studies indicate a need for greater diversity in perspectives on critical issues in academia, which could impact the preparation and the nature of learning experiences provided for students.