Incivility in the Academy: Using the I3 Model to Investigate Aggression in Higher Education

• In Event: 31.049 - Faculty Well-Being

Abstract

Recent research suggests that workplace bullying (WB) and workplace incivility (WI) occur among academics and may threaten professional status, lead to social isolation, and may involve negative interpersonal exchanges in the workplace. Through autoethnography and interviews with faculty members, we examined the situations that lead to WB and WI with faculty in Higher Education in a Canadian university. Thematic analysis suggested that highly departmentalized colleges lead to aggressive competition, which heightened WB and WI. Additionally, as funding opportunities have decreased, the competition for scarce external funding has created incivility between faculty members. To mitigate instances of WB and WI, faculty members cited the importance of fostering collaboration and peer-support networks.

Authors

• Laurie-Ann M. Hellsten, University of Saskatchewan

• Lynn Ellen Lemisko, University of Saskatchewan

• Laureen J. McIntyre, University of Saskatchewan

• Stephanie Martin, University of Saskatchewan

• Brittany Paige Hendry, University of Saskatchewan