"Authentic" Faculty and Academic Capitalism: The Scientist as Administrative Leader

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding Job Satisfaction in Faculty Careers

Abstract

As academic capitalism continues to ascend in research universities, it shifts the professional roles and boundaries of faculty and administrators. Recent research has focused on the restructuring of academic labor, including the expansion of administrative capacity and the erosion of faculty autonomy and professional status. This qualitative study of 75 faculty and administrators across four institutions illuminates the scientist as administrative leader of centers, institutes, schools, and departments. It suggests blending of faculty-administrative work and emerging forms of stratification. For example, senior STEM faculty perceived as strong, well-resourced researchers gained access to increased administrative and financial/budgetary authority, and despite their managerialization, they predominately experienced these positions as professionalizing and helpful to enhancing scientific credibility, funding, and status. Implications are discussed.

Author

• Jarrett B. Warshaw, Florida Atlantic University