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Author

Neil Kraus

Neil Kraus is a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and Vice President for Higher Education for AFT-Wisconsin. His most recent book, The Fantasy Economy: Neoliberalism, Inequality, And The Education Reform Movement, received Honorable Mention for the 2024 Michael Harrington Book Award from the Critical Political Science Section of the American Political Science Association. 

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Neil's Latest Articles

Modified screenshot with obscuring, spiraling lines over parts of the front page of the Universities Of Wisconsin main page (https://www.wisconsin.edu). The text "13 Universities" is displayed in black text in a white box on the lefthand side. "Unlimited Opportunity" appears in larger white text on a black background below it. A female student smiles with her arms crossed on the righthand side.
The shady tactics shaping policy in the UW System
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Politics
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November 18, 2025

Unwritten "political deals," perpetual audit threats, and fear are being used to reduce educational opportunities outside of UW–Madison and UW–Milwaukee.

A glitched, earth-toned illustration shows a large lecture hall that is sloping down towards the background. The center is engulfed in exposed wiring. An image of a wheat or cornfield is spliced into the bottom part of the illustration where the dull blue-colored seats are located.
Ever-expanding AI continues to invade higher education
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Politics
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September 8, 2025

Trump and Big Tech promise "human flourishing" in the UW System.

An illustration shows a map of the UW System's campuses, within an outline of the borders of Wisconsin, and with lines running between the campuses. The map is tilted, blurred, and set against an orange background.
Cuts to Wisconsin’s campuses, checks for consultants
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Politics
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January 27, 2025

The UW System's corporate plan is clear: pay consulting firms millions while laying off educators, and closing programs and campuses.

A collage shows Bascom Hall being cut with scissors, a copy of the 2018 UW restructuring bill, the Capitol building, a fan of 100 dollar bills, Bucky the Badger with boxing gloves, and someone at a protest holding a sign that reads "Accessible Education for All."
The “Future of the UW System” committee: A retread of a rerun of a repeat
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Politics
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August 13, 2024

The Republican-led effort is primed to double down on the austerity logic behind the UW’s problems.

A distorted image of an older desktop computer shows a graduation ceremony.
Online education is a key part of the UW System’s austerity agenda
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Politics
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June 19, 2024

For UW leadership and corporate interests, “distance learning” goes hand-in-hand with cuts to programs and campuses.Â