Reconsidering vulnerability in higher education

Workplace Bullying, Mobbing and Harassment in Academe: Faculty Experience

“…The very qualities that make the academy and faculty unique are being challenged from a number of different directions. Globalization, co-modification of knowledge, massification of education, reduction in state or government funding, disruptive technologies and the rise of neoliberalism, managerialism and marketization create competitive pressures directed at institutional survival and fundamental challenges to the role of faculty scholars in institutional leadership and as public intellectuals (Jackson, 2018;Pelletier, Kottke, & Sirotnik, 2018;Petrina, Mathison, & Ross, 2014;Tucker, 2012;Tytherleigh, Webb, Cooper, & Ricketts, 2005). Specific threats to academic freedom occur in the form of politicization of the funding agenda (e.g.…”

“…As targeted individuals struggle and decline, the effects likely extend out and can reduce department and institutional functioning (Faria, Mixon, & Salter, 2012;Giorgi, 2012;Hollis, 2015;Jackson, 2018). Although there is little empirical research on unit and institutional impact currently, consideration of the implications of faculty withdrawal on group functioning reveals what the possible damage could be.…”

“…Being a high performer can also be a risk factor for being targeted (Keashly & Neuman, 2018). Specifically, being a high performer in terms of academic achievements when perceived as a threat to colleagues' statuses, particularly in a competitive academic environment, may make some faculty "noticeable" and, hence, vulnerable (Friedenberg, 2008;Jackson, 2018;Kim & Glomb, 2014;Kotleras, 2007;Twale, 2017;Westhues, 2006). Junior faculty and faculty-in-training (graduate students and postdocs; Martin, Goodboy, & Johnson, 2015;Morris, 2011;Yamada, Cappadocia, & Pepler, 2014) may be particularly vulnerable.…”

Filling the Space: A Framework for Coordinated Global Actions To Diminish Academic Bullying

“…Several strategies to revisit the current methods for scientific recognition and indexes, as well as the familiar axiom “publish or perish”, have been proposed [5l, 46] . Evaluation and comparison of faculty recruitment and promotions, (cash) awards, and grants should not depend so heavily on current indexes (e.g.…”

Intellectual leadership and academic communities: Issues for discussion and research

“…Some of the vulnerable scholars also prefer to stay on the fringes of political feuds and clan battles, which emerge during the competition of ideas (Jackson, ). Worried about their survival, women and minority scholars may spend more time and energy on various placating manoeuvres in the corridors of power, rather than on developing strategic coalitions and strengthening their voice to confront dogmas or to communicate controversial issues.…”