Under the Skin of University: Uncovering Academic Exploitation in Iranian Higher Education

Some people might think that exploitation belongs to centuries ago and is no longer common, but a deeper consideration of the modern social institutions reveals that it turns out as a malicious modern-day phenomenon. While higher education has always been ideally considered as the epitome of lofty intellectual morals, when it comes to reality the sweet dream turns into a bitter thing. This study is based on a grounded theory inquiry to uncover the hidden curriculum in Iran higher education system. To gather the required data, the maximum variation strategy has been used for sampling and in-depth interview has been employed for delving into the issue. Based on the findings, academic exploitation can be considered as the core phenomenon and hub of hidden curriculum in Iran further education. This malignant issue can then be categorized into five aspects namely teaching, research, sexual, financial and moral exploitation. Furthermore, findings indicate that the exploitation originates from structural, cultural and economic factors (causal conditions). This core phenomenon is then encountered by superficial obedience and clandestine protest (strategies) culminating in reproduction of the academic exploitation (consequence). To validate the credibility of findings, three strategies have been used namely member check, peer debriefing and prolonged engagement, while political, economic, social and cultural conditions have been outlined to establish transferability. Dependablity of the research is guaranteed by detailing the data analysis process.