Academic careers and parenting

Identity, Performance and Surveillance

Bibliographic Data

ID4098065
AuthorsCandice Harris (0009-0000-9204-098X, Auckland University of Technology, corresponding author), Barbara Myers (0000-0001-6654-4076, Auckland University of Technology), Katherine Ravenswood (0000-0003-1569-3826, Auckland University of Technology)
Year2019
Volume44
Issue4
Pages708-718
Publication date2019-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0307-5079 • E-ISSN: 1470-174X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03075079.2017.1396584
OpenAlexW2765338213
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited48

This paper explores the experiences and perceptions of parent academics and their colleagues, and argues that in the absence of institutional support and guidance, self and peer assessment of academic identity in relation to performance becomes a measure against which academics assess their own academic careers and the academic careers of others. The context of the study is contemporary neoliberal academia in which competition is encouraged, driving individuals to actively self-manage their own academic careers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 senior lecturers and associate professors, both parents and non-parents. Three distinct social identity groups were found among the participants: those who placed parenthood ahead of their career; parents who performed ‘despite’ their children, and a third group of ‘surveillers’ of other academic parents and their careers. Perceptions of parenthood as detrimental to academic careers was enforced through these identity groups, particularly the ‘surveillance’ of academic parents by their colleagues

Academic achievement · Higher education · Pedagogy · Perception · Political science · Sociology · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Higher Education Research Studies · Mentoring and Academic Development · Psychology · Social Psychology

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