Reflexive Practice as a Form of Resistance Among Young Indonesian Academics in Neoliberal Times

This article explores the reflexive practice of early and mid-career young Indonesian academics as a form of resistance within the neoliberal university environment. Drawing on the concept of reflexivity as an analytical tool, the study examines how these academics navigate and challenge the structural constraints imposed by neoliberal policies in the realms of research, teaching, and community service. Rather than passively adhering to institutional expectations, these academics practice subtle, indirect strategies to uphold core academic values that often contradict the dominant doxa of Indonesian higher education. The findings reveal two distinct modes of resistance: Some young academics operate within the accepted rules while subtly subverting them, while others transcend these boundaries to develop individualised approaches that align with their academic ideals. This research contributes to the broader discourse on agency, structure, and reflexivity in the discipline of youth studies, highlighting the complex ways in which young academics assert their autonomy and preserve academic integrity in a rapidly changing educational landscape.