Creating Spaces of Well-Being in Academia to Mitigate Academic Burnout: A Collaborative Auto-Ethnography
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| Title: | Creating Spaces of Well-Being in Academia to Mitigate Academic Burnout: A Collaborative Auto-Ethnography |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | de Villiers Scheepers, Margarietha (ORCID |
| Source: | Qualitative Research Journal. 2023 23(5):569-587. |
| Availability: | Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Well Being, Burnout, Professional Autonomy, COVID-19, Pandemics, Productivity, Sense of Community, School Personnel, Higher Education |
| DOI: | 10.1108/QRJ-04-2023-0065 |
| ISSN: | 1443-9883 1448-0980 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: In contrast to prior studies examining burnout in academic employees, this paper explores how academic employee agency mitigates burnout risks in the context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and how this agency facilitates research productivity and influences well-being in the face of changes in learning and teaching practices. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use collaborative auto-ethnography (CAE) in the higher education (HE) sector to probe how an employee productivity group supported the group's members during the pandemic. Findings: Thematic analysis revealed four emerging themes--burnout, beneficial habits for research productivity, blocking-out-time and belonging. The authors' findings suggest that by acknowledging and legitimising employee-initiated groups, feelings of neglect can be combatted. Purposeful employee groups have the potential to create a therapeutic, safe space and, in addition to the groups' productivity intent, diminish the negative effects of a crisis on organisational effectiveness. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature by utilising a CAE approach to provide greater insight into how academics enact agency by creating digital research workspaces, attending to the spatial dimensions of well-being especially during turbulent times. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2023 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1399866 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: In contrast to prior studies examining burnout in academic employees, this paper explores how academic employee agency mitigates burnout risks in the context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and how this agency facilitates research productivity and influences well-being in the face of changes in learning and teaching practices. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use collaborative auto-ethnography (CAE) in the higher education (HE) sector to probe how an employee productivity group supported the group's members during the pandemic. Findings: Thematic analysis revealed four emerging themes--burnout, beneficial habits for research productivity, blocking-out-time and belonging. The authors' findings suggest that by acknowledging and legitimising employee-initiated groups, feelings of neglect can be combatted. Purposeful employee groups have the potential to create a therapeutic, safe space and, in addition to the groups' productivity intent, diminish the negative effects of a crisis on organisational effectiveness. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature by utilising a CAE approach to provide greater insight into how academics enact agency by creating digital research workspaces, attending to the spatial dimensions of well-being especially during turbulent times. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1443-9883 1448-0980 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/QRJ-04-2023-0065 |
