Under the sword of Damocles: Exploring the well-being of university academics during a crisis

Abstract

Prompted by the wide-spread impact of the global pandemic on the higher education sector in Australia, this study explores the wellbeing and mental health of university academics who were caught in this altering landscape. This mixed-methods study has three objectives. Firstly, the study involved the design and development of an instrument to measure the wellbeing of university teachers. Secondly, the new instrument was administered to a randomly drawn sample of university academics, in order to validate its use. Thirdly, the study sought to identify possible strategies utilized by participants during times of high pressure, conflict and stress. As an initial validation study, the project involved scale design, generating a tool which measures the wellbeing of university academics, especially during times of crisis. The measurement tool was constructed in four parts drawing on the established formula of academic workload: Teaching, Research, Service/Engagement, with Part 4 seeking out demographic variables for analysis. Findings suggested that most academics were concerned about the maintenance of their research output and teaching workloads. Maintaining responsibilities as care-givers and parents of school-going children proved challenging. Many conceded that maintaining equilibrium was complex. It is anticipated that the scale will be an effective means of quantifying academic wellbeing especially during a crisis, thereby offering a valid instrument to university leaders, when considering staff security and comfort, in the contemporary context.

Scoping Review of Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Programs in Higher Education Institutions

“…The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing stressors among students enrolled in HEIs which further affected the HEI workforce 15,18–21 . Faculty and staff were impacted by lockdowns that required adjustment of their instructional activities, research efforts, and normal operations—in particular, rushing to migrate to online teaching without adequate preparation and support 22 .…”

“…[15][16][17] The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing stressors among students enrolled in HEIs which further affected the HEI workforce. 15,[18][19][20][21] Faculty and staff were impacted by lockdowns that required adjustment of their instructional activities, research efforts, and normal operations-in particular, rushing to migrate to online teaching without adequate preparation and support. 22 Saw et al examined COVID-19 pandemic stressors among university faculty and found that lack of readiness for online teaching had a significant impact on mental health, with a greater impact on female faculty.…”

Production and reception of human resource management practices for health promotion

“…Their activities are diverse and permeate teaching and research as well as administration. In addition to producing knowledge, they also engage in funding opportunities and other managerial services that lead them to play multiple roles: they are writers, teachers, collaborators, administrators, researchers, conveners, supervisors, leaders, entrepreneurs, negotiators, and advisors ( Subban et al, 2022 ).…”

Práticas de gestão de pessoas nas universidades públicas brasileiras e a saúde mental de gestores e equipes

“…A intensificação do trabalho e os mecanismos mercantis vigentes, iniciados a partir da implementação das políticas de ajuste neoliberais em meados dos anos 1990, levaram as universidades a uma atuação que segue as lógicas empresariais e a competitividade (Mancebo et al, 2006; Sindicato Nacional dos Docentes das Instituições de Ensino Superior [ANDES-SN,] 2013). Essas políticas provocaram mudanças significativas na atuação de seus trabalhadores, que atualmente acumulam em sua prática profissional os papeis de professores, colaboradores, administradores, pesquisadores, supervisores, líderes, empreendedores, negociadores e conselheiros (Subban et al, 2022).…”