Unavoidable but useful? Corrupt practices among Chinese humanities and social sciences academics and students

Ling Wang, Rui Yang and Yanzhen Zhu

Chapter 13 in Handbook on Corruption in Higher Education, 2025, pp 199-215 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This study investigates different types of corrupt practices among Chinese academics and students in the humanities and social sciences through the lens of domination. We interviewed nine academics and five PhD students who have studied or are studying in mainland China. We find that the academics and students employ strategic control, advantageous positions, and malign influence to perform corrupt acts. Our research reveals that both cultural and institutional factors contribute to academic corruption in Chinese higher education, which is further fueled by the perceived pressure on publication and promotion. Although harmful to the institutional intellectual environment and to individual well-being, academic corruption also serves as an alternative means to fulfill unmet requirements. We highlight the necessity of reevaluating the excessive focus on research outputs and the urgency of prioritizing the well-being of both academics and students in China's higher education, especially those in the early stages of their academic careers.

Keywords: Academic corruption; Academic misconduct; Chinese higher education; Academic work; Student well-being; Research outputs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035320233
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