Oral Presentation by Lisa Seubert¹, Lisa Reinstadler², Severin Hornung², Bernadette Kofler³, Iris Kahn³, Christian Seubert²
¹ University of Innsbruck; University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Austria ² University of Innsbruck, Austria ³ University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Austria ² University of Innsbruck, Austria
TIME: Thursday, 16 July, 10:30 – 12:00
Location: Room 1
Session: 17
Abstract
Precarious employment conditions among early-career academics (fixed-term contracts, legislation prohibiting of so-called “chain employment relationships”, part-time work) are a recurring theme within academia and beyond. These conditions provoke uncertainty about future life and impair career development. Performance pressure and intense competition lead to unpaid overtime, high stress levels and work-life-imbalance. Nevertheless, a scientific career offers a stimulating and challenging job, flexibility and freedom to engage in meaningful and intrinsically motivating research topics. This study examines how early-career academics in Austria perceive their job and employment situation and how this affects their private lives, career prospects and health. We embedded the study in a broad framework including macro-, meso- and micro-level as well as contextual aspects of precarious employment. Drawing on 14 interviews with pre- and postdocs across disciplines, we investigated subjective experiences along five-dimensions: reproductive–material, social–communicative, legal–institutional (participation), status and recognition, and meaningful–subject-related. Findings indicate pervasive job and career insecurities, uncertainties in career and life planning, mobility requirements, unpaid overtime, heightened performance and competitive pressures as well as blurred boundaries between work and non-work and impaired health. Despite these negative aspects, participants strongly identified with their job, reported appreciation, respect and support from their scientific community and colleagues, and experienced meaning in work. However, some interviewees reported about feelings of envy and resentment in this highly competitive working environment and about a decline in meaning in work. We discuss these dynamics within the framework of the neoliberal university and propose recommendations for the development of academic careers at individual and policy levels.