Roundtable: Career: Balancing Work and Life as an Academic

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Overview

The demands of academia can feel relentless—juggling research, teaching, service, and personal commitments often seems like an impossible balancing act. Moreover, the professional culture of the academy often prioritizes productivity over mental health and personal wellbeing, while the hypercompetitive environment surrounding job and funding opportunities frequently adds to the stress. For many, this results in bringing work home and working longer hours at night, over the weekend, and on holidays—to the detriment of one’s commitments and interests outside of work. This roundtable will bring together panelists who have navigated these challenges to share their insights, strategies, and lessons learned. Topics may include planning and prioritizing one’s workload, setting boundaries, managing time effectively, addressing burnout, and prioritizing what truly matters. Whether you are an early-career scholar, a seasoned faculty member, or somewhere in between, this panel aims to offer practical advice and a supportive space to discuss how to pursue a fulfilling academic career without sacrificing personal wellbeing.

Section

• Professional Development / Professional Development

Chair

• Jessica Loyet Gracey, Northwest Missouri State University

Participants

• Stephen E. Sussman, Barry University

• Runa Das, University of Minnesota-Duluth

• Elizabeth I Dorssom, Lincoln University - Missouri

• Samuel Pimpong, University of Education, Winneba

• Deborah Jean Natoli, University of Southern California

• Anderson Milton Starling, The University of Tennessee-Martin