Beyond University Limits

In June 2025, the Thinking Through Infrastructure Network hosted a workshop on “Knowing Infrastructures in and beyond the neoliberal university”, supported with HEIF/KE funding.

The day began with a plenary talk by Gargi Bhattacharyya, who encouraged us to think beyond the teleology of “the party” as the sole route to collective liberation.

Panel 1: University Limits then explored different dimensions of the current crisis in universities, from far right and class politics to disciplinary architecture, rigidifying assessment, and the relationship between reading groups and picket lines.

In the afternoon, Panel 2: Reimagining Research introduced alternative ways of making knowledge with and about communities beyond the university. Panel 3: Utopia & Repair then turned to the future of the university, moving from small acts of salvage to much larger speculative designs.

The day concluded with a collaborative session led by visual artist Giada Peterle, where participants made zine pages in response to the workshop discussions. This zine is an open-ended project and further contributions are welcome – please send in your artwork and we’ll include it here and in any hard copies we make for print and distribution!