academic establishment

USAGE SUMMARY

"academic establishment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any type of school or place of learning. For example, "The student was accepted into an esteemed academic establishment in his home state."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Professor AC Grayling has spoken of how he has become a figure of vitriol among students and the academic establishment after announcing plans to establish a for-profit private university.

The Guardian

The academic establishment in Bologna, a university town, disparaged him until late in his career.

The New Yorker

America's academic establishment is so solidly liberal that Naderites easily outnumber Republicans.

The Economist

The ideas proffered here have long been standardized by the academic establishment.

The New York Times - Arts

The academic establishment has failed to provide clear guidance for degree applicants.

The Guardian

But the crisis has made the academic establishment fractious and vulnerable.

The Economist

This is an old idea historically rejected by the academic establishment.

The Economist

In many ways, Mr. Shiller and Mr. Siegel are part of the academic establishment.

The New York Times

Richardson's chilly, formal manner evoked the Eastern, academic establishment that Nixon despised.

The Washington Post

New York's turf-conscious medical and academic establishment for years paid little notice to the decline.

The New York Times

Truss acknowledged that "opinion is divided within the British academic establishment as it is on many educational issues".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "academic establishment" in overly informal contexts. While the phrase itself isn't inherently formal, it carries a certain weight due to its association with scholarly institutions.

Common error

Be specific when critiquing or praising the "academic establishment". Avoid sweeping statements that paint the entire system with a single brush. Instead, focus on specific departments, policies, or institutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "academic establishment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It refers to the collective body of academics, institutions, and norms within higher education.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "academic establishment" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to the collective body of academics, institutions, and norms within higher education. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, and the phrase appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, the term should be used with specificity to avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives include "academic institution", "scholarly community", and "higher education sector", depending on the intended nuance. The term carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for scholarly discourse and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Academic institution

Refers to a specific institution of higher learning, such as a university or college.

Educational institution

Focuses more broadly on institutions dedicated to education at all levels.

Scientific establishment

Focuses more specifically on the scientific community and its institutions rather than academia in general.

Academic setting

Broadly refers to any environment associated with learning and scholarship.

Scholarly community

Highlights the collective of scholars and researchers, emphasizing collaboration.

Theoretical establishment

Emphasizes the theoretical aspects of academic research and institutions.

Higher education sector

Focuses on the economic and organizational aspects of institutions that offer higher learning.

University system

Refers specifically to a network of universities that are connected or governed together.

Faculty and administration

Refers to the individuals who constitute the academic institution’s workforce.

Ivory tower

This term implies a separation of academics from the practical concerns of everyday life.

FAQs

How can I use "academic establishment" in a sentence?

You can use "academic establishment" to refer to the collective body of universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher learning, as in "The new research challenged the prevailing theories within the "academic establishment"".

What are some alternatives to "academic establishment"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "academic institution", "scholarly community", or "higher education sector".

Is "academic establishment" a formal or informal term?

"Academic establishment" is generally considered a neutral to formal term, suitable for academic papers, news articles, and professional discussions. Less formal alternatives might include "university system" or "school establishment" in specific contexts.

What's the difference between "academic establishment" and "scientific establishment"?

"Academic establishment" encompasses all institutions and individuals involved in higher education and scholarship, while "scientific establishment" specifically refers to the community and institutions involved in scientific research and development. The former is broader, including humanities, arts, and sciences, whereas the latter is limited to the sciences.