Academia's Post-Pandemic Illusion
Hybrid work promised freedom, delivering only more precarity and a blurred line between life and labour for academics.
Academics believed the pandemic offered a chance to redefine work-life boundaries, yet flexibility has become a Trojan horse. Institutions, not individuals, dictate the terms, leveraging remote setups to extract more unpaid labour. The illusion of autonomy masks an insidious erosion of well-being. Burnout is no longer a personal failing, but an institutional design flaw. Academia must confront its exploitative practices now.
Academics have gained unprecedented control over their schedules, allowing for greater personal agency and reduced commute times. This flexibility fosters a more inclusive and productive research environment for many.
- ·Exploitative practices
- ·Blurred boundaries
- ·Increased precarity