A 'new (ab)normal'?: Scrutinising the work-life balance of academics under lockdown. Issue 9 (21st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ashencaen Crabtree, Sara; Esteves, Luciana; Hemingway, Ann
• Is Part Of: Journal of further and higher education. Volume 45:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1177
• Page End: 1191
• Publication Date: 2021-10-21
• Subjects: Covid-19 -- lockdown -- academics -- work-life balance; Education, Higher -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; 374.941
• DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2020.1853687
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-877X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In March 2020 virtually all UK universities were suddenly thrown into an unprecedented and sudden closure of campus and facilities owing to the British Government's Covid-19 pandemic lockdown policies. Further evidence suggests that this exacerbated existing gendered differences. This paper reports on UK academic responses from an international survey examining the work-life balance of academics under Covid-19 lockdown. The aim of the study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of academics, using these to inform how universities can improve the work-life balance of academics during the current and post-lockdown scenarios, as well as in the longer term, given a pandemic-prone future. Rich in qualitative comments, primarily derived from women academics, gendered contrasts in work-life balance appear magnified under conditions of lockdown. Key lessons for HE internationally emerge from the findings.