Publish and perish: Faculty health in a research university

• In Event: 3129 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 2. Work Conditions and Health

Abstract

Using data from focus groups conducted in Fall 2018, with 31 faculty members of varying ranks and disciplines at a public research university, this study examined faculty perceptions of factors in the academic context that affect faculty health. The results were that participants perceived faculty to be overwhelmed by their work responsibilities. They perceived the existence of an academic culture which values research above all other faculty work, does not value teaching and service, promotes, even valorizes, overwork and the sacrifice of health, and treats health as a private matter, to be handled by faculty individually. According to participants, this culture, commonly referred to as Publish or Perish, undermines faculty health and, therefore, could more accurately be called Publish and Perish. The results also include details on participants’ visions of an alternate cultural model, one that fosters a culture of health and promotes health as a shared value. The discussion interprets the findings in light of study limitations and suggests future research.

Author

• Tanya A. Nieri, University of CA, Riverside