The Future of Academia: In the Face of Woke Obscurantism

On September 22nd, the Cetner for European Studies hosted a timely discussion titled “The Future of Academia: In the Face of Woke Obscurantism.” The event opened with a presentation by literature professor Xavier-Laurent Salvador, Editor-in-Chief of the Observatoire d'Éthique Universitaire, who warned that we are facing nothing less than the derailment of science itself. Defending the university, he argued, is synonymous with defending Europe. France, in his view, can serve as a rallying point. He underlined that science is not activism, and that universities must remain neutral and dedicated to free inquiry. 

The panel discussion, moderated by Yann Caspar, brought together Rodrigo Ballester, Head of the Center for European Studies, and Leonardo Orlando, Visting Fellow at MCC, alongside Mr. Salvador.

Mr. Orlando stressed that wokism is not merely theoretical but manifests in cultural life, citing the Olympic opening ceremony as an example of division where unity was expected. He warned of a growing hypocrisy in academia: while universities hold epistemic authority, they increasingly force compliance with ideological agendas rather than intellectual courage. He pointed to EU-funded projects worth over €200 million and the overproduction of PhDs as evidence of structural imbalances in academia. 

Mr. Ballester, drawing from his essay “The Rainbow Privilege,” argued that wokism monopolizes political and cultural agendas, framing the struggle as one between progressives and destroyers. He emphasized that wokism institutionalizes itself in European research funding, particularly through mechanisms like gender mainstreaming in Horizon Europe. He cautioned that future researchers may find themselves excluded from grants unless they conform ideologically, noting Hungary’s own exclusion from certain programs. 

Mr. Salvador described wokism as akin to a pagan re-birth, especially visible in university HR departments and youth circles. He illustrated the suffocating academic climate with examples of researchers forced to operate on meager annual budgets - sometimes as little as €700 - unless their work aligned with the prevailing agenda. 

The panel also reflected on deeper philosophical dimensions. Responding to Mr. Caspar’s question about nature and culture, Mr. Salvador expressed hope for a rebirth, though he feared France might become the ultimate reservoir for wokism. Mr. Ballester, less pessimistic, urged fierce resistance, pointing to other European countries where the trend is even more advanced. Mr. Orlando noted that since universities supply the labor market with degree-holders, they have little incentive to change, highlighting what he sees as structural hypocrisy. He also pointed to examples abroad, such as Argentina under President Milei, where defunding gender-focused institutions freed resources for more effective measures. 

In closing, Mr. Salvador reminded the audience that wokism itself was born in France, rooted in the deconstructionist tradition of the 1970s, and even likened the French Revolution to the first wave of cancel culture. The panelists agreed that the defense of academic freedom depends on reaffirming the distinction between science and ideology, and that without resistance, Europe’s universities risk losing their role as true centers of knowledge.