The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

what it’s like to be a casual academic

  • Written by Steven Burch, Lecturer in Accounting, University of Tasmania
what it’s like to be a casual academic

One of the priorities of the federal government’s sweeping Universities Accord[1] is to improve employment conditions in higher education. This is long overdue.

Australia’s university sector once set the standard for working conditions but sadly this is no longer the case. Now the sector is plagued by an over reliance on casual staff, stress, burnout and precarious work conditions[2].

As of 2021, almost one third[3] of Australia’s academic staff were employed as casuals, or contractors on a part-time basis.

Meanwhile, reports about underpayments[4] and frequent strikes[5] are making headlines. These have been accompanied by continued funding and staff cuts[6], along with increased expectations[7] around performance.

Despite the high numbers of casual academic staff, surprisingly limited attention has been paid to their working conditions and experiences.

We conducted 20 interviews in the accounting discipline between May 2020 and November 2021. This field of study has a very high number of international students and was hard hit by COVID and job losses. Interviewees were a mix of aspiring academics, industry experts and freelancers (who were working in universities as part of a mix of jobs).

Three themes emerged from our research about their experiences.

Read more: The Universities Accord will plan for the next 30 years: what big issues must it address?[8]

1. Heavy workloads

Previous research[9] on higher education in general has found staff experience stress, poor work quality and burnout. Our casual interviewees spoke at length about huge and unreasonable workloads. This was particularly so when it came to marking, as one interviewee explained:

It’s 1,000 words [per assignment] and we get paid approximately ten minutes [per assignment]. I can’t read, process it, and try to give good feedback. I feel like I’m just chained onto the table like some sort of slave to be honest, because it has to be done by a certain time.

This echoes research on the broader higher education environment, where high workloads impact both casual and permanent staff[10]. Another interviewee told us:

To be honest, for the amount of pay we get, the amount of work we do, if you look at it on is it worth it? No. It’s because of passion. I love what I do.

A teacher marking papers and looking at a laptop.
Interviewees spoke about impossible marking demands. Shutterstock

2. Lack of recognition and respect

Our interviewees emphasised a clear division exists between permanent and casual staff. This can include not having a say in decisions or course content or not having senior staff checking in. It can also extend to being treated poorly by unit coordinators. As one interviewee noted:

You do feel some of them do treat you like an idiot.

This treatment can extend beyond work duties to social events and separate work areas.

there will be a dinner or something that only tenured staff is invited to, you are treated like a second-class citizen.

Another interviewee told us:

The sessionals [casuals] had an area like open plan offices and the tenured people had their own offices. So, it was like, the difference was made quite clear in that way.

3. Constant insecurity

During the pandemic, casual academic staff were the first to lose work[11] when universities faced revenue shortages caused by the loss of international student fees.

Data on full-time equivalent university staff shows between 2020 and 2021[12], 15% of casuals lost their jobs, compared to 7% of full-time workers.

Interviewees spoke about their frustrations, not knowing if they would have a job from one semester to the next. For some, it took a toll on their wellbeing and sense of self.

It’s very stressful, particularly with uncertainty […] I feel like I’m worthless.

Another interviewee similarly explained:

Never knowing what amount of teaching you are going to have next semester makes you feel really expendable.

Read more: Universities had record job losses, but not as many as feared – and the worst may be over[13]

What the Universities Accord should note

Casual academics have an essential role educating some of the brightest young minds in our society for exciting careers. Yet their own careers do not have the same prospects. And their work does not necessarily give them a sense of dignity or self-worth.

Students walk through the old quadrangle buildings at Sydney University.
The Universities Accord review is currently examining all aspects of higher education, with an initial report due in June. Shutterstock

This not only affects casual academics’ morale and wellbeing, but undermines universities’ commitment to quality teaching and learning.

Both casual academics and universities would benefit from better, more respectful working conditions for casual staff. Casuals need their work to be recognised, a greater sense of inclusion and more pathways to progress their careers. Otherwise, it is hard to see how this employment model – that has become so important to higher education – is sustainable.

References

  1. ^ Universities Accord (ministers.education.gov.au)
  2. ^ precarious work conditions (elifesciences.org)
  3. ^ one third (www.education.gov.au)
  4. ^ underpayments (www.afr.com)
  5. ^ frequent strikes (www.smh.com.au)
  6. ^ staff cuts (michaelwest.com.au)
  7. ^ increased expectations (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ The Universities Accord will plan for the next 30 years: what big issues must it address? (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ research (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  10. ^ permanent staff (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  11. ^ first to lose work (futurework.org.au)
  12. ^ 2020 and 2021 (www.education.gov.au)
  13. ^ Universities had record job losses, but not as many as feared – and the worst may be over (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/some-of-them-do-treat-you-like-an-idiot-what-its-like-to-be-a-casual-academic-201470

Times Magazine

DIY Is In: How Aussie Parents Are Redefining Birthday Parties

When planning his daughter’s birthday, Rich opted for a DIY approach, inspired by her love for drawing maps and giving clues. Their weekend tradition of hiding treats at home sparked the idea, and with a pirate ship playground already chosen as t...

When Touchscreens Turn Temperamental: What to Do Before You Panic

When your touchscreen starts acting up, ignoring taps, registering phantom touches, or freezing entirely, it can feel like your entire setup is falling apart. Before you rush to replace the device, it’s worth taking a deep breath and exploring what c...

Why Social Media Marketing Matters for Businesses in Australia

Today social media is a big part of daily life. All over Australia people use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok , LinkedIn and Twitter to stay connected, share updates and find new ideas. For businesses this means a great chance to reach new customers and...

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Times Features

Italian Street Kitchen: A Nation’s Favourite with Expansion News on Horizon

Successful chef brothers, Enrico and Giulio Marchese, weigh in on their day-to-day at Australian foodie favourite, Italian Street Kitchen - with plans for ‘ambitious expansion’ to ...

What to Expect During a Professional Termite Inspection

Keeping a home safe from termites isn't just about peace of mind—it’s a vital investment in the structure of your property. A professional termite inspection is your first line o...

Booty and the Beasts - The Podcast

Cult TV Show Back with Bite as a Riotous New Podcast  The show that scandalised, shocked and entertained audiences across the country, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, has returned in ...

A Guide to Determining the Right Time for a Switchboard Replacement

At the centre of every property’s electrical system is the switchboard – a component that doesn’t get much attention until problems arise. This essential unit directs electrici...

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand o...

450 people queue for first taste of Pappa Flock’s crispy chicken as first restaurant opens in Queensland

Queenslanders turned out in flocks for the opening of Pappa Flock's first Queensland restaurant, with 450 people lining up to get their hands on the TikTok famous crispy crunchy ch...