How do teacher unions frame professionalism discourses in contemporary socio-political contexts? A systematic literature review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21512349 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Huidan Niu (0009-0005-3745-9282, Massey University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 287-310 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Cambridge Journal of Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0305-764X • E-ISSN: 1469-3577 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0305764x.2025.2486982 |
| OpenAlex | W4409184993 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 49 |
This systematic literature review examines how teacher unions frame professionalism discourses within contemporary socio-political contexts. By synthesising insights from international empirical research, the study explores the roles teacher unions play in challenging neoliberal education reforms that emphasise standardisation, accountability and external controls. It highlights the dual role of unions as both professional and industrial advocates, showcasing their efforts to promote teacher autonomy, professional status and collaborative practices. The analysis identifies five key themes: the de-professionalisation of teaching under neoliberalism; the collective agency of unions; complex relationships with governments; the pursuit of public legitimacy; and the intertwined nature of unions’ professional and industrial roles. This review contributes a conceptual framework for understanding teacher unions’ discursive, relational and contextual strategies in shaping professionalism. It underscores the need for further research into unions’ constructive roles in fostering democratic professionalism and advancing equitable education reforms globally
Epistemology · Pedagogy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · Educational Practices and Policies · Labor Movements and Unions · Law · Nursing Education, Practice, and Leadership
Flip the System
Handbook of Education Policy Research
Education and Power
Designing conceptual articles
Evidence in Management and Organizational Science
New Public Management and Education
Teacher professionalism
The Comparative Politics of Education
Swedish School Reforms and Teacher Professionalism
Curriculum, standards and professionalisation
Guidance on Conducting a Systematic Literature Review
From silenced to vocal
A quest for legitimacy
Contested discourses of teacher professionalism
Theorising teacher professionalism as an enacted discourse of power
The ‘shape’ of teacher professionalism in England
Tomorrow's Schools’ in New Zealand
Constructing solidarity through social justice in education
Brief History of Neoliberalism
The teacher's soul and the terrors of performativity
Teacher professional identity
Teachers Performing Professionalism
Teachers and public engagement
A new professionalism? Challenges and opportunities
Short Note
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |