The Hybrid Model of Academic Capitalism in Iranian Higher Education: A Complex Interplay of Neoliberal and State-Controlled Practices

Abstract This study explores the unique implementation of academic capitalism (AC) in Iranian higher education Institutions (HEIs), identifying a hybrid model that blends neoliberal strategies with state-imposed ideological controls. Employing qualitative methods, including interviews with stakeholders and analysis of educational policy documents from 1979 to 2023, the research reveals a complex interplay between market-driven approaches and rigid ideological constraints. This dual approach impacts academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and integration into the global knowledge economy, presenting a distinctive governance model that complicates the conventional understanding of AC. The findings offer profound insights for policymakers and educational administrators, suggesting the need for nuanced strategies that harmonize economic objectives with ideological imperatives.